story2

"All Donors save Lives ...
an Organ Donor Saved Mine"

MY STORY continues (page 2)

It�s the main water supply for the Tarong Power Station. That was about three years after we had been given the initial shattering news. One thing led to another, and I ended up in the Toowoomba General Hospital in the �Intensive Care Unit� having a �Vascath� inserted into my right shoulder so I could be attached to a �Haemodialysis machine�, This enabled the Renal Unit staff to remove the impurities from my blood in order that I had a better chance of staying alive. I don�t know about you people out there, but I felt that �Death� could be quite inconvenient.

Since we lived about 180 klms from the renal unit at Toowoomba, I realized that I would have to try another type of �Dialysis�. We couldn�t afford to drive to Toowoomba three times a week for dialysis until either I died, or a �Kidney Donor� with a compatible �Tissue Type,� was found. My Blood Group was �O�pos. so I had possibly, a better chance than a lot of others.

I was trained to look after myself on �C.A.P.D.� This is a rather labour intensive style of dialysis, about one hour four times a day every day. It is a continuous type of dialysis, which does not need a machine or electricity. I can�t complain, it kept me alive, and we tried not to let it interfere with our lifestyle. After all I have been feeding fish for too many years to remember, so I decided if my working days were to be really over, then there was a few of them out there swimming around who owed my �Better Half� and I a feed. Since it�s hard to find a tree to plug into for power out in the bush, I went for the type of dialysis where we could improvise. I tried to make light of the situation I was in, because, if you get an organ failure these days, it�s like winning Gold Lotto to receive an organ transplant.

I used to have a beard, and yes, I was fishing while dialysing. John on my left used to remove the fish and re-bait my line for me.
Cleanliness is critical.

Sadly, Organ donation is on the decline, with adverse publicity caused by some television shows, and the fact that nobody likes to talk about dying, it is rarely discussed seriously. Just ticking �yes� on your drivers licence is not enough. You must also discuss it with your family, and let friends know of your wishes. I believe that in mid November 2000, the Federal Health Minister, opened a national register for those wanting to become �Organ Donors�. Now, to become a donor, it is as easy as registering at your local Medicare office the next time you are there.

After about three years on �C.A.P.D.� (Dialysis) my condition was deteriorating to the point where my ex got tested, to see if she was compatible enough to give me one of hers. She had made me the happiest guy alive by marrying me, but I found it difficult to believe that someone with enough health problems of her own, would accept the risks, and offer to save my life by giving me one of her kidneys.

Although I never told her, I realized that my condition was worsening to the point where it was very grave indeed. Our Renal newsletter, which was sent out every two to three months, showed that we were losing two to three patients, to every transplant our group received. I was beginning to wonder if I could hang on long enough to avoid becoming just another statistic.

the Story continues ...

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