December 2008 - Moving Up!

A few days ago, upon our arrival at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville for my annual pre-transplant evaluation, we were pleased to learn that I'm now fifth on Mayo's kidney transplant list. Having moved up five spots in barely 60 days , I could be transplanted in the near future- subject to the complexities of tissue matching, which involves testing the similarity of certain proteins (antigens) between potential organ donors and recipients.

The immediacy of my situation became more apparent when my transplant coordinator and social worker engaged us in a discussion of some practicalities - the importance of accurate alternative telephone numbers, what to expect upon arrival at the Mayo Emergency Department, clarification of post-transplant immunosupressant and preventive medications, plans for remainig in the Jacksonville area following the transplant (to monitor and treat any signs of organ rejection), and so forth.

Mosts of the tests durng this three-day period focussed on my heart and its ability to tolerate the transplant surgery. No significant abnormalities were found and other clinical and laboratory tests indicated that my kidney condition is essentially unchanged. We had a lengthy meeting with my Mayo physician, Dr. Martin Mai, on the precarious nature of my "stable" condition and the advantages of a pre-emptive kidney transplant.

Given the immediacy of my situation, we decided to forego our plans to attend President-Elect Obama's Inauguration on January 20th.

Thanksgiving - 2008

There was much to give thanks for this Thanksgiving. In addition to the stability of my condition, we were cheered by the visit of my sister, Eleanor Redway, from Los Angeles. Because we live on opposite coasts, this was our first Thanksgiving together in over 40 years! It was our "treat" for her her 80th birthday and Eleanor proudly told almost everyone she met that she was from Los Angeles and was here in Savannah, thanks to her "little" brother.

In addition to family time - Alison and her family joined us - Eleanor and I found some precious private time to share personal concerns and stories of years past - especially our childhood years in Roxbury, MA and our deceased parents and brother, Calvin. This was Eleanor's first visit to the South and she genuinely enjoyed Connie's legendary culinary skills, our tours of Historic Savannah, its ambiance, a hydro massage, and the warmth exuded by many persons, some complete strangers, that she met.

As Eleanor left for home with effusive thanks for her "birthday present", we were reminded how the joy of receiving can easily be matched by the joy of giving.