The journey a grateful recipient goes through is always unique to them. We are honored to celebrate Advocate For Life and triple organ transplant recipient, Fred! This month marks the second anniversary of the gift of life that saved him. He shared touching words that we believe will warm the hearts of courageous donor families, donation supporters and more. We deeply appreciate Fred for his vulnerability.
“Second chances… What do these two words mean to you? Philosophically, the concept of "second chances" can be understood as the belief that individuals should be given the opportunity to rectify their mistakes or past failures. It is rooted in the idea that human nature is complex, and that people can learn, grow, and improve over time. Second chances can be seen as a manifestation of empathy, compassion and the belief in redemption. This concept acknowledges that life is a continuous process of learning and that everyone deserves the chance to make amends and demonstrate their potential for change and growth. However, it is essential to recognize that not everyone may see second chances in the same light, as some may argue that certain actions or behaviors may not warrant forgiveness or additional opportunities. However, for me, some of what I said above is certainly true, but I am not talking about that. I am referring to this.
In this context, "second chances" represent the possibility of a renewed life through organ donation and transplantation. It signifies hope, resilience and the potential for overcoming adversity. For me, it is a deeply personal and life altering experience that embodies the belief in the power of God, human generosity (my heroic donor) and medical advancements. The concept of second chances in my story is intrinsically tied to the gift of life and the opportunity to continue living and thriving despite the challenges you face. As you navigate this difficult journey, it is essential to acknowledge the emotional, mental and physical complexities that come with such a profound experience, while also recognizing the strength and determination that underpin your quest for a second chance at life.
Like many recipients, our story is deep… Full of pain that can be mental, physical and spiritual. Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher has once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” My personal journey started in October of 2000. I was out in the desert with my father for a few days. Not long after I arrived home, I developed a cough. After a couple of weeks of this coughing, I went to my primary doctor who had been my doctor since I was born. We had a long history together dealing with my illnesses and being creative in finding a cure. However, after taking all the known antibiotics with no success, this cough turned into pneumonia. It is now February 2001, and he said, “You need to go to the emergency room at the hospital because this has gone beyond my knowledge.” So, I did. Quick background- at that time, I was 35 years old, self-employed and two years into my first marriage with a child on the way.
After being in the hospital for my pneumonia with no way to cure it, they released me with oral steroids and said, “If it gets worse, we would like to do a lung biopsy on you.” I did get worse, and around April of 2001, I had the biopsy done on my right lung. They removed about 2% of my lung tissue and sent it out to get tested at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Everything they tested for came back negative for any known bacteria or disease. It was a mystery, and it remains a mystery. The doctor kept me on steroids, but things kept getting worse. I ended up being in and out of the hospital for several visits until July of 2001, when I was admitted to the emergency room again and my physician decided to run an Electrocardiogram (EKG) on me. The results showed my heart was not beating correctly, and I saw the leading cardiologist at the hospital. After a series of tests, they discovered my ejection fraction at the time was 17%, but the doctor felt that with cardiac rehabilitation and medications, I could improve my chances of living. My heart problems were classified as viral cardiomyopathy, and I was also diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. I was released on the very day my daughter was born in July and I got to be there to see her birth (a true blessing).
In 2009, I reached an ejection fraction of 40% after receiving my first pacemaker. This was the highest my heart was able function with medications and physical therapy. My health began declining once again in 2015. By the end of 2020, I had gotten to a point where I needed a heart and kidney transplant to survive. Before I could become listed for these transplants, I needed to take care of a few other medical complications. In February of 2022, I unfortunately caught Covid-19. I was scheduled to have my transplant re-evaluation appointment in March. I luckily recovered and while I was being re-evaluated, they noticed I had a liver problem as well. Due to this new complication, this specific transplant hospital turned me down because they had never done a triple organ transplant. I was now in desperate need of a heart, kidney and liver transplant. The conversation turned into a question of my comfort as I was not given another option besides checking into a hospice. While living at the local hospital, I was referred to an end stage cardiologist, and he referred me to another transplant center that performed triple organ transplants. The doctors were interested and asked if I would come down for an evaluation. I said yes. While I was there for my evaluation, they told me that they did not want me to leave. It was possible that they might be able to perform a triple organ transplant on me. It was August of 2022 when I was listed for transplant. In September of 2022, I received the call I had been desperately waiting for. A heroic donor who would be my perfect match and able to donate the three organs I needed. This was the ultimate blessing, and I am lucky to be here today because of my hero who said, ‘YES.’
Organ donors are incredibly special because they selflessly give the gift of life. They offer hope and a second chance to those facing a dire prognosis. I am truly blessed to be able to tell this story. I am also forever in debt to my wife, daughter and family who stayed by my side during this difficult journey. I have been humbled by this experience and I am proud to share my story.”
Are you inspired by Fred’s story? Become a hero and register now!