ScarsofLife 41, Male Springfield, MO United States: Like

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Kidney-Pancreas

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Chat Live on Transplant …

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Gift of Life - Scars

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Rita left a comment for ScarsofLife

"Happy Birthday ScarsofLife, wishing that all your birthday wishes come true."

Nov 27, 2012

ScarsofLife left a comment for Mr. T

"Thanks Mr. T!"

Nov 27, 2012

Mr. T left a comment for ScarsofLife

"Happy Birthday Scars of Life. Enjoy your day. Live Life."

Nov 27, 2012

DAP1122 (Don) and ScarsofLife are now friends

Nov 27, 2012

ScarsofLife left a comment for DAP1122 (Don)

"Thanks Don! "

Nov 27, 2012

Cisco left a comment for ScarsofLife

"Happy birthday Scars! Have a great day! You should join us for chat on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 2 pm central time. Hope to see you there!"

Nov 27, 2012

DAP1122 (Don) left a comment for ScarsofLife

"Happy Birth, Scars!!!!"

Nov 27, 2012

ScarsofLife posted photos

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Jul 9, 2012

ScarsofLife replied to Tracy's discussion 'Questions!!!!' in the group Kidney-Pancreas

"Tracy, I received my kidney and pancreas transplant almost two years ago, however I waited for eight years and two months and many false alarm calls with near matches before my transplant finally became a reality. The waiting period can be the…"

May 8, 2012

ScarsofLife replied to Wil S.'s discussion 'YIKES!!!! My Leg is killing me!!!' in the group Kidney Transplants

"Hi Wil, I'm close to hitting my second year post transplant and during my first 6 months I experienced what I would say are very similar issues. Several people have already posted a couple of the very things that I'm going to write in this…"

Apr 17, 2012

DebbieK liked ScarsofLife's photo

Jan 2012 New Dew

Apr 12, 2012

ScarsofLife and Susan Friesen are now friends

Feb 24, 2012

Hostess Risé left a comment for ScarsofLife

"Hello Scars Of Life Great nickname. Would you like for your story and picture to be placed up on our stories pages? If so, email me your story transplantfriends@gmail.com along with your photo. Thank you Rise'"

Feb 22, 2012

ScarsofLife was featured

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Feb 22, 2012

Hostess Risé left a comment for ScarsofLife

"Nice Photos!"

Feb 22, 2012

ScarsofLife updated their profile

Feb 20, 2012

Profile Information

Were you a member of our Forum on http://TransplantBuddies.com ?: Yes

Where did you hear about Transplant Friends?: Transplant Talk Back

Are You Male or Female?: Male

Share - which illness lead up to you needing a transplant?: I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 9 years old. When I was in my mid 20's I started experiencing different signs of oncoming health issues caused from the diabetes. I was 29 when I was told that my kidney function was very low and that I would be on kidney dialysis within the year. After 8 years of being on dialysis, the first five of which were spent living in a nursing home, and 44 surgeries to keep me on dialysis, I finally received a double transplant of a kidney and pancreas in 2010. I got my transplant after listening for several years to doctors who told me that it would never happen because of my having a high antibody level due to many blood transfusions from all of my surgeries. I couldn't give up and I knew that my living or dying wasn't up to the doctors or even myself; It’s God who decides when my time is up. I had accepted that death could come anytime and I had no problem with It, there were times that I’d actually hope for it. I knew that death is merely a part of life and that eventually it comes to all. I didn't want to die but I was alright with it and didn't fear it due to my faith in God and knowing what would come after this life was over. It was God's call as far as I was concerned and He would decide my fate. My Nephrologist came to me one day during dialysis and told me that I was going to have to be taken off of dialysis due to having no more accessible veins to use for dialysis treatments. My last access, a HERO graft, was used as a last resort, it’s made for patients who have little to no vascular system left due to damage caused from diabetes and dialysis. This last access failed and clotted, leading to one more surgery to have it removed from my chest and arm. I was using a temporary split ash catheter from that point on. My doctor wouldn't allow me to use it for more than 6 weeks though, due to infection risks. I was at my ropes end; I had used pretty much every option as far as dialysis accesses and the forms of dialysis as well. I was told I'd be taken off of dialysis within two weeks.

I got my miracle call from my transplant center a week later. Once I arrived at my transplant center they prepared me for the surgery and then while they were wheeling me into the operating room I had the chance to talk to my surgeon for a brief couple of minutes. I asked him why this transplant would work while the four prior donor organs that I'd been called in to receive where given to other patients because my antibody level was too high. The surgeon told me that the donor had a high antigen level and that it would counter act my antibody level. He told me that a young man, only 20 years old, had been in an accident and that I was receiving his pancreas and kidney. My surgeon then told me how uncommon it is that a person in my position would get organs coming from a perfect donor who matched up in every way, plus having the antigens I needed to keep my body from rejecting the transplant.

I then began to think of my donor and how selflessly he decided, at such a young age, to donate his organs so that others could live. I felt awful thinking about this young man's death and knowing that due to his short life mine would be extended. He was almost half my age and he had never really been given the opportunity to live life and see his dreams fulfilled. It's only another transplant recipient who can fully understand the way it feels once you've finally come to the realization that someone had to give their life in order for us recipients to have our second chance at life. The happiness of living, the appreciation of a second chance and still the sorrow within, makes it hard to express the gratitude that's felt in a way that anyone else could really relate to or even understand. It’s difficult to show your happiness while knowing that somewhere there is a family grieving the loss of a loved one who has just saved your life. Organ donors are true heroes. It’s in their death that several lives are saved.

I had a very successful transplant, the surgery took five and a half hours and my surgeon told my family and later myself that my new organs where already working before they ever even closed me up. I had to be reopened the following day due to internal bleeding, however that was the only issue that I had to deal with during my transplant experience. I spent one month in a hospitality house outside of the hospital and was then released to come home. Once I was home I had a very quick and successful recovery and have had no issues with side effects caused by my anti rejection medications and all of my labs run perfect numbers.

It's been almost 2 years since my transplant and I've experienced no issues with my new organs as of yet and I'm still going strong. I thank my unselfish donor and my God for bringing me through all I've had to go through as well as for teaching me all I’ve learned from the experiences that led me to the point I've come to in my life. I also appreciate and am thankful for all of the care providers, friends and family who helped keep me healthy enough to make it to my time of transplantation.

Which Organ(s) did you receive? If you are on the waiting list, please share.: Kidney and Pancreas

Drugs, vitamins, favorite foods: Prograf 3mg daily
Cell Cept 500mg daily
Lyrica 100mg daily
Drisdol 50,000mg monthly

How many years have you had your Transplant for?: 20 months

I am Interested in Transplant Friends because...: I feel that it is inspiring for others as well as myself to talk about and read about all of the success stories of other transplant patients. I also believe that those who are going through problems due to transplantation can benefit from others who have gone through and been in their shoes. I know that going through all that I've gone through has enabled me to be capable of relating to others who are going through and experiencing the difficulties that I have. I think that everyone's story can bring inspiration to others who can relate to what they've experienced. Through the process of exchanging stories and just being there to listen and respond to different issues builds relationships. It's through the relationships that are built here that we are able to learn and understand things about our health that even our doctors couldn't express to us. It lets people know that they aren't alone in what they're going through.

Which Transplant Center has or will perform your life saving surgery?: ST. Louis University Transplant Center

Share how your transplant experience changed your life?: My transplant not only changed my life, it gave me a life. My transplant is my second chance at life, a second chance that I don't take lightly. I live life to the fullest but refuse to waste time on things that are of no depth which lead to nothing but drama and stress. I live to honor God as well as my donor’s gift of life. I owe both God and my donor too much to risk wasting this second chance living a life that isn't worth living. My transplant changed a lot of things for me. It changed my perspective on life and death and the appreciation of the fact that for me to be alive today, someone else had to die. I put too much value on the wrong things in my life before my health failed, however now that I've had my transplant I see that the most important aspect is to focus my values on living a more appreciative and productive life.

As I said, donors are true heroes, everyone can be one of these heroes and there are many of them needed so please choose to be a hero and save the lives of others. Give someone a second chance and donate life!!!!

Share your interests and hobbies: God, Health, people, History, Art, Working out, friends, Family, Long motorcycle rides, Anything outdoors and enjoying and living life to it's fullest.

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Comment Wall (12 comments)

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At 10:42pm on November 27, 2012, Rita said…: Happy Birthday ScarsofLife, wishing that all your birthday wishes come true.

At 3:03pm on November 27, 2012, Mr. T said…: Happy Birthday Scars of Life. Enjoy your day. Live Life.

At 10:07am on November 27, 2012, Cisco said…: Happy birthday Scars! Have a great day! You should join us for chat on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 2 pm central time. Hope to see you there!

At 8:35am on November 27, 2012, DAP1122 (Don) said…: Happy Birth, Scars!!!!

At 8:05am on November 27, 2012, David said…: Happy Birthday Scars of Life !

At 9:54am on February 22, 2012, Hostess Risé said…: Hello Scars Of Life

Great nickname. Would you like for your story and picture to be placed up on our stories pages? If so, email me your story transplantfriends@gmail.com along with your photo.

Thank you

Rise'

At 9:51am on February 22, 2012, Hostess Risé said…: Nice Photos!

At 7:58pm on November 3, 2011, audrina said…: Wow you've been on quite a journey with your health! Its amazing! Dialysis can sure drain you and you had been on for sucha a long time its great to hear that you feel so much better after your tranplant. I too feel so much more brought back too life and free from a machine lol I have no regrets as well everything I have gone through has made me the person who I am today and I am blessed to have met the people I have. I hope you stay well and healthy :)

At 5:31pm on November 3, 2011, audrina said…: I didn't have the reason why I lost my kidneys when you wrote lol I just added that after.
It was a bit tough to lose them during high school cause at that point you just want to fit in and have fun. My first 2 months of dialysis I was home
Schooled then after I jumped back in to regular school. I had dialysis 5am to 9 am so I could go to class.
I had supportive friends and family which made things a bit better.
Yes I am at the same risk but I feel better after my transplant before I was in and out of hospitals. I've only been hospitalized once for
Food poisoning. I'm glad to hear your doing well.

At 2:56pm on November 3, 2011, audrina said…: My kidneys failed because of a diseased called wegener's granulomatosis I had
It since I was 13 my kidneys failed when I was about 16 I was on hemo dialysis for a year and a half
I had a cath. the whole time which led to major scaring. Yes I went to a pediatric center. I had my transplant at 17 I was
Realeased 3 days after :)