To the Editor:
On Thursday, December 2, 1999, a letter from my sister, urging people to become an organ donor was printed in a local newspaper. The response from family, friends and community was overwhelming. By some miracle, I received "the call" for my transplant from Stanford Hospital the same day that letter was published.
The San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Aero Squadron offers a volunteer lifeguard flight and Eric Schaefer and his copilot, Dawn flew me to Palo Alto. These people have more than airplane wings that meet the eye. I was there in about an hour and an ambulance was waiting to take us to Stanford University Hospital.
I had my transplant on Friday, December 3, 1999. I cannot say enough for my transplant team, Dr. So, Dr. Millan, and Dr. Lu who dedicated their work and expertise in surgery for 14 1/2 hours to give me new life. I was in the hospital for 7 days and then I stayed at the Assistance League of Santa Clara County's HOME apartments on Stanford University's campus which is one of forty apartments which may be available for patients who live a distance from Palo Alto. I was there for 13 days and was able to return to my family before Christmas. What a Christmas!!!
I now know what people mean when they say they are blessed...for I am, truly. It is still amazing to me. I can't believe that I feel this good, this quickly, when just a few weeks ago I couldn't eat, get out of bed or even breathe easily since my right lung had collapsed. I am now walking two miles a day.
I could not have done this alone. I had the unconditional love, unquestioning support and trueness of heart from my family and friends who were there for me not only physically but spiritually to help me recover with such remarkable speed.
Even my doctor knows what a miracle this is. Dr. Lanier, Dr. Imperial, and my transplant coordinators, Debra Strichartz and Fatima Heuer kept me in the best health that they could so that I was able to receive my transplant; however, they knew how urgently I needed to be transplanted. I was recently told that California organ donors were down this year and that it could possibly be another 8 months on the waiting list. My doctor had just informed me that I needed to have a transplant in the next 2 to 4 months.
I pray for the spirit and soul of my organ donor and for peace, comfort and strength for his family to move on. I will never know the wonderful person who was my organ donor and cannot imagine the grief his family must be going through at this time of sorrow, but my heart is filled with warmth at the generosity these people found at their time of loss. I will forever be grateful.
Aside from the amazing medical technology of my transplant team at UCSF Stanford Health Care, I believe the prayers from my family, friends, and community are what have carried me this far, this fast. I remember what a heart transplant recipient on the "Kindness of Strangers" said: "Anyone can make it through a transplant, with the love of family and the will to live." I believed her words and, God willing, I have a new life. Unfortunately, for some, they may never have the opportunity to challenge these words of wisdom, as, tragically, every day 12 people will die while awaiting a transplant.
While others have received a transplant and even though they may have had the will to live and the love and support of their families, I cannot question why their transplant did not work and why I am here to write this letter. I can only thank God for this wonderful gift of life and urge you to share your life and become an organ and tissue donor. Here are some facts on this issue.
Currently, more than 65,000 Americans are waiting for a life saving organ transplant. There are only 5,000 organ donors annually. Hundreds of thousands more would benefit from a life enhancing tissue transplant. Every 16 minutes another name is added to the waiting list. Thankfully, one donor can help more than 50 people in need. At Stanford University Hospital alone, there were 3 of us at the top of the list in our region who received organs from the same organ donor. There is no age limit to be an organ donor. Share your decision to become an organ and tissue donor and be sure to tell your family. As my new friend told me today...
Enjoy the Present
Barbie Maddox
(liver tx 12/03/99)
