October 2020: 3 Years Later- Looking Back on the Day that Changed My Life

As a kid, I always loved Halloween. It was one of my favorite nights of the year. I would get dressed up and go have fun for hours. Back then, we didn’t have a care in the world other than getting our favorite candy.

Years later, Halloween has taken on a totally different meaning. On the morning of Oct. 31, 2017, I had my kidney transplant. The transplant came after years of steady decline in the function of my kidneys. Thankfully, we found a donor — my best friend, Jacob Thompson, was that match.

I am eternally grateful for his gift. He gave me a small, but important, part of himself. That is not an easy thing to do, but it was something he did willingly.

I am also thankful for the doctor who did an amazing job performing my surgery, Dr. Goran Klintmalm. I remember shortly after the surgery, he came up to me and asked how I was doing. All I could say was, “I’m in pain.”

His response, “Well, I did just cut you open.”

Then there is my other doctor and kidney specialist, Dr. David Nesser. He did a fantastic job guiding me through recovery. The level of concern and empathy he shows is nothing short of phenomenal. This is a man who really cares about what he does.

I can’t thank any of these gentlemen enough for the impact they’ve had on literally saving my life and keeping my new kidney healthy.

Three years later, I feel good. Living as a transplant recipient can often be challenging. However, the benefits greatly outweigh those challenges. It’s an incredible gift to receive, and it’s my duty to care for that gift in the best way I can.