I spent this past weekend at a memorial service for a lifelong family friend. His final days, after a long, full, amazing life, surrounded by loving family and friends, involved them all dealing with the end of life decision making before so many of us in the 21st century. Imaging was needed to determine whether this 83 year old could withstand some surgery. The contrast dye was nephrotoxic, and he suddenly was grappling with end stage renal disease on top of his other health problems. Does he go on dialysis? Is he a candidate for transplant? How long can he survive if he's listed? Will one of his children, grandchildren, who all know me well, or huge network of friends, offer to donate? With full awareness of the decision he was making, and with the loving support of his family, he refused heroic measures to preserve his life, deciding they were futile, and would divert limited resources from others in need. Ironically, he briefly regained better kidney function after making this decision, but finally succumbed shortly afterward.
In this space every month we remember extraordinary moments in our lives, gifts of life, ends of lives. I remember, this month, the many who decide, as my dear friend Niel did, to make their own sacrifices for the benefit of others, unknown, unmet, but nevertheless respected and beloved. Whatever memory you are celebrating this month, even if painful, honor it, cherish it, respect it, love it. Best wishes, all.
Twenty-third anniversary:
Tyrone Hyslop donated part of his liver to his sister on October 18th, 1989
Twenty-second anniversary:
Dannielle Hayes donated a kidney to her mother on October 9th, 1990
Sixteenth anniversary:
Lisa Moore donated a kidney to her sister on October 17th, 1996
Leslie Moore Boyd donated a kidney to her father, Charles, on October 31st, 1996. He lived three more years, during which he welcomed his last grandchild into this world.
Fourteenth anniversary:
Robert S. Burroughs donated a kidney to his sister on October 10th, 1998
Thirteenth anniversary:
Jack Hallman donated a kidney to Donna Leubke's recipient, her sister, his friend, on October 19th, 1999
Eleventh anniversary:
Barb donated a kidney to her brother on October 1st, 2001. He was re-transplanted 6 days later.
Ellen Souviney donated a kidney to a friend on October 2nd, 2001
Michelle Nichols donated a kidney to a stranger on October 29th, 2001
Tenth anniversary:
Mary DeLeeuw donated a kidney to a friend on October 8th, 2002
Janice Uible donated a kidney to her husband on October 29th, 2002
Ninth anniversary:
Tina Alvarez donated a kidney to her sister on October 13th, 2003
Stephanie Powell donated a kidney to a stranger on October 21st, 2003
Marilyn Zeller-Walker donated a kidney to her daughter on October 28th, 2003
Eighth anniversary:
Lynn Cosgrove donated a kidney anonymously on October 12th, 2004
Samuel R. Smitty II donated a kidney to an unrelated person on October 20th, 2004
Gladys Sanders donated a kidney to her daughter on October 29th, 2004
Seventh anniversary:
Angela Dale donated a kidney to her friend, Charles Coats, on October 19th, 2005
Ruth Woodhall donated a kidney to her cousin, Alan, on October 27th, 2005
Sixth anniversary:
Patty-Lynn Gouthro donated a kidney to her sister on October 4th, 2006
Vince C. donated a kidney to his wife on October 17th, 2006
Amanda Mathenia donated a kidney to her father, Terry, on October 25th, 2006
Fifth anniversary:
Lauren Chavis donated a kidney to Christina Hill on October 2nd, 2007
Kim Jackson donated her left kidney to her mother on October 5th, 2007
Ann Davis donated a kidney to her husband on October 22nd, 2007
Khalifa Al Shaibani donated a kidney to his brother, Hamad, on October 26th, 2007
Diane Curtiss donated a kidney to her husband on October 30th, 2007
Fourth anniversary:
Nathan Pearl donated a kidney to his sister on October 7th, 2008
Anne-Marie Meyer donated her right kidney to her friend Susie on October 14th, 2008
Lorrie Whitfield donated a kidney to her husband on October 15th, 2008
Carole Stueben donated a kidney to her father on October 16th, 2008
Oliver Foggin donated a kidney to a friend on October 17th, 2008
Kathy Harris donated a kidney to her husband on October 23rd, 2008
Sarah McDaniel donated a kidney to a stranger in a list exchange on October 28th, 2008 (her mother received a deceased-donor kidney four weeks later)
Third anniversary:
Linda donated a kidney to her husband on October 8th, 2009
Faith McKinney donated a kidney to her cousin's husband, Steve Carter, on October 20th, 2009
Carmen Manning donated a kidney to her father on October 23rd, 2009
Phil Hoover gave his left kidney to one of his college professors from more than 20 years ago on October 28th, 2009
Second anniversary:
Rebecca Chambers Farwell donated a kidney to her husband, Keith, on October 19th, 2010. He died a short time later from a preventable complication.
Scott Jenkins donated a kidney to a stranger in need on October 22nd, 2010
First anniversary:
Shelby Morris donated a kidney to a friend on October 6th, 2011
Tricia Carter donated a kidney to her sister, Elaine, on October 16th, 2011
Brenda Walsh donated a kidney to her brother, Robert Rhinas, on October 17th, 2011
Tom Carr made a non-directed kidney donation on October 21st, 2011
Linda donated a kidney to her best friend from high school on October 28th, 2011
Sonya Martinez donated a kidney to her husband Jaime, on October 28th, 2011
Topic: October 2012 Anniversaries (Read 3360 times)