One year ago, to the day, I had a kidney transplant courtesy of my mom. She didn’t perform the operation sadly, but did donate her kidney. Which was nice, and meant I could come off dialysis, and have a more normal life (and not die young).
Anyway, although I’d been anticipating the date, the 13th March, I completely forgot about the occasion until this afternoon.
Looking back, it’s a strange mix of convoluted emotions, the rational part of my brain relays the obvious benefits mentioned above, but thinking back, my mind instead jumps to the rawer memories of pain, fear and perpetual exhaustion.
The days, weeks and months after the operation were littered with numerous hospital stays whenever my blood results didn’t quite make the mark. During these stays, I’d be subjected to ever-more gruesome scans, tests and minor operations to find out why my new kidney – although working well, wasn’t working perfectly. Whether I like it or not, this is what comes to mind, looking back. Like everyone else, it’s surprisingly easy to take my now relatively normal (I’ll need another new kidney sometime in the next 10-30 years), fit and healthy life for granted.
Perhaps, it’s only when I am fit and healthy, and back working full-time, as I am now, that it’s actually possible contemplate the time since I was diagnosed with kidney and heart failure in January 2010. Since then, my focus has always been on getting through it and looking forward.
Anyway, this has been a bit of a long and rambly post after WordPress lost my last one in the cloud. So I’ll leave it somewhere..about..here.
BrummieDave 
An amazing gift from your mom = the ultimate gift. Glad your doing well – know there has been some probs along the way but hey after the last 3 years all good (most of the time!).
Take care and where has that time gone. xxx
The truth is out there …. somewhere.