I've posted about my brother before. I actually have two but this one is my oldest. He got sick back in October 2008, one week before my now fiance and I were about to head off on a 3 month trip overseas. Leaving was so hard and the trip had really tough moments knowing we were so far away. However my brother wanted us to go and knew we'd been saving for ages so he didn't want it any other way.
Initially my brother ended up in hospital one afternoon because he had lost most of his vision and had a strong sense of being unwell. It took many hours of questioning in the ER, that finally led to a decision at 3am to undergo surgery that would enable kidney function via a dialysis machine. Both of my brother's kidneys had failed. With little to no notice. It was too late for any preventative kidney failure treatment, he was immediately put on dialysis.
The road thus far has felt long. My younger brother, mum, and I have all been screened for a possible kidney match. While we weren't ruled out altogether, the good news is my dad was an excellent match and would be the one to donate a kidney! So just last Thursday my dad (who I am so, so proud of) gave my brother (who I am also extremely proud of) the gift of life - a new kidney!! To see the change in my brother already has been amazing. Both my dad and brother are doing extremely well post op. There is still a long way to go for my brother but things are certainly on the up.
waiting in hospital the day before their opI think anyone who donates an organ, living or deceased to another person is amazing. And for the surgeons and nurses who make it all possible I have no words for. Except, thank you. For me, the past week been the most challenging week of my adult life and I know what I have gone through has been nothing compared to these two incredible men in my life.
x
21 comments:
Wow, what a touching story. I am so, so very glad that it has a happy ending!
I wish the best of continued health and happiness on you and your family.
That is wonderful your Dad was a good donor match. Best wishes to your family, and the hope for a speedy recovery for your brother and Dad.
I can imagine how hard this has been for you. My prayers are with your family for a speedy recovery, truly a wonderful thing to be an organ donor.
So glad that everything has turned out well and you have a happy end. Fingers-crossed that everything continues to look good.
I too would like to say that I am so glad for you and your family that your dad was able to donate a kidney for your brother. family is so important. I wish you all the best and your brother and father a fast recovery.
Thankyou for sharing this amazing journey your family has been on - our lives are so much more complex than just origami sessions and crochet so totally appreciate you sharing. I hope you all go from strength to strength in the coming weeks! All the best. x luna
What amazing people and an amazing family. All the best for their continued improvement and happiness. :)
my mother is a transplant nurse at the cleveland clinic, so a story like this really warms my heart. so glad to hear everyone is do well. sending happy thoughts your way :)
xo Alison
I can't really imagine what you must have been going through this week Evie, but I'm so pleased to hear things are going well post op. It is an amazing gift your father has given your brother.
wishing you and your family all the best and continued progress and health xo
Wishing them both, and all of you and yours, the very best.
Wow. What a beautiful story to share.
My thoughts and love are with you and your family. xxx
This is such a touching post. Thankyou so much for sharing this piece of your life. To be able to dwell on the fact that people like your father are so giving when life throws us a curve ball, is heartening.
My thoughts are with you and yours x
I'm so happy to hear things are on the up for your brother. I can't imagine what it would be like to go through such an ordeal. I have an older and a younger brother and I know that I would be devastated if something like this was to happen to them. It's such a blessing that your Dad was able to help out in such a great way. All of my fingers and toes are crossed for the continued health of your brother. Big cheer for Brothers and Dads!!! Hope your week has many happy moments. xo
Amazing. A-mazing.
What a beautiful shot of your Dad and brother.
I wish and pray they both have a speedy and strong recovery.
Lots of love.
Wow. Your dad is such a great person and so is your brother, for being so strong! And you and the rest of your family are awesome too, for supporting each other on. You go guys! : )
Hope you're feeling much better now!
Wow Evie, it must have been such a tough week for you. It's so important to remember that whilst we all usually post pretty and fun things everyone has real lives with real problems. Thanks for sharing this, I hope those two great men make a full recovery soon. Thinking of you and your family. Anna xxx
Oh I just saw this. Evie! I'm so pleased things went well with the operation. Thanks for sharing as I had been thinking of you all since your last post. Hooray! Sending all my best wishes for speedy recoveries for everyone involved. much love too xx
Oh Evie. What an incredibly beautiful and honest post. Thanks for sharing something that is so personal. You made my eyes tickle with tears.
I hope your dad and brother are well on the road to recovery...
Oh Evie! I've been off in la-la land and totally missed this post! So happy for your brother and all of your family for this wonderful outcome. Kx
Incredible. I'm so glad for your family that the long wait is over, and send best wishes for both your Dad and brother's recoveries! What a relief, eh :)
such a wonderful real life story, I am an organ donor and have been all of my adult life. it's a wonderful example of the receiving end of a donation that I might one day make after my time is up. you have reconfirmed my commitment. much love x
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