The list of people to thank as continue on my post-kidney transplant journey seem endless.
It takes a village to protect a kidney and transplant 1 to another, and support everything in between.
- To my endocrinologist and nephrologist, thank you for your steady guidance as my kidney declined and for helping me prepare for the road ahead.
- To the nurses, dietician, and social workers at the dialysis clinic, your care and kindness sustained me through the hardest days. And the beeps from the dialysis machine. So many beeps.
- To a friend and mentor who has worked at a dialysis clinic for years and spoke the language and helped me understand more and more along the way.
- To the transplant doctors and nurses, your expertise and compassion gave me a second chance at life.
- To those who sent cards, prayers, and messages, your kindness lifted my spirit.
- To the doctors, coordinators, dietician, and pharmacist, thank you for helping me recover.
- To those who shared their transplant experience with wisdom; your insights lit the way forward.
- To my “little brother” and his mom, your care package brought comfort and joy.
- To my parents’ friends, your handmade pillow and the angel named Joy brought peace to my desk and heart.
- To my friend who drove me to appointments and treated me to dinner, your generosity gave me moments of escape and laughter. Thank you to the other drivers as well.
- To my workplace, thank you for supporting my time off and for the gift that nourished me in more ways than one.
- To my sister, my unwavering advocate and champion, your love and determination helped me find a donor and recover quickly.
- To my care team, my parents, thank you for sitting beside me through every appointment and for EVERYTHING you did and are doing to support my healing.
- For Jeff, (extending to his wife, kids, and family) – your selfless act of donating your spare kidney created a ripple of healing and hope. Because of you, I received mine through a cross-match. I will forever be grateful.
- For my living donor, though we have not met, your gift is etched into my soul with gratitude beyond measure.
Sincerely,
Chad