Coronavirus Chronicles | Greatest gift of all came for 66th birthday: a new kidney
For my 66th birthday a few months ago, I got something that I’d been wanting for and needing for at least 15 months: a new kidney.
At 4 a.m. on Presidents Day my phone was vibrating and flashing — it was the Transplant Center at the Ohio State University Wexner Center. They had a donor kidney ready, and how soon could I get there? My wife Jackie and I were so excited; we bundled up and headed down the untouched, snowy roads on a trip that would change both of our lives.
Rajab
Wells
Randi
Alex
Keri
Mari
Ashley L
Mary
Bala greeted us in the swirling winds and snow at 4:59 a.m. By noon I had a new kidney.
In pre-op, one doctor was especially nice and attentive, and I asked her if she was going to be in surgery with me.
“No,” she said, “I have to go get another kidney.” She is forevermore the real Wonder Woman to me.
DaLoul
Siddiqui
Shruthi
Tori
Sarah
Michelle
Nick
This wonderful, generous donor left two kidneys. The other recipient of the “sister” organ was discharged in a couple of days.
My new kidney was slow starting. “It’s asleep,” they said. The transplant team decided to go back in, rinse, bathe, and awaken it. They were successful! My donor saved at least two lives.
Summer
Payton
Heather
Connor
Violet
Mary
I woke up around 4 a.m. Feb. 19, my birthday. My night nurse and a cohort had made a Happy Birthday sign for me! It was strung up with oxygen-line tubing (they had even curled up the ends as you might do with ribbon)! These were the best and kindest nurses anywhere! I can’t recall a better birthday gift than my new kidney — a true gift of life.
And even among all of the rock-star medical professionals listed here and who work at the hospital, the real star of the show is the donor. What a selfless, generous and awesome thing to do.
I hope to learn much more about my donor and give some comfort to the grieving family. One can only imagine the family’s grief and sorrow. Hopefully knowing a recipient will give them some comfort and pride, and maybe even some satisfaction knowing their loved one saved (at least) two lives.
I want them to know that I will get more time to spend with my three grandsons, two of whom arrived in 2020.
More time with Jackie enjoying our deck, pool and boxer.
Another season of chasing golf balls around.
More time with my own family.
Lori
Brandon
James
McKenzie
Barbara
All of this due to the selfless sacrifice of a stranger. It’s an absolute miracle all around if you ask me. May the donor’s family gain some solace from all these truths.
Hannah
Autumn
Ahhrea
Nathan
At my first follow-up appointment, I saw my surgeon. She asked if I remembered asking her, right before they put me out, “Are you a Steelers fan?” She laughed and told me no, but her brother is a big Cleveland Browns fan.
In the anesthesia haze, I had seen that she had studied in Pittsburgh and mentioned that I am a lifelong Browns fan (#onebeforeIdie). We laughed. I feel grateful at the prospect of more good Browns seasons ahead.
Max
Hannah
Mike
Stephanie
We must remember all of this great nursing and doctoring occurred under the limits, restrictions and stress of the global pandemic. It didn’t seem to faze this wonderful team. They followed the protocols to a T; I felt so safe the entire time.
COVID was a simple fact, another obstacle; but just as always, these healers never made any excuses. They were always forging ahead to fix any problem and working smartly until any obstacle was corrected.
The team in the Transplant Center could not have been more amazing, and I am thankful every day I ended up in the care of these brilliant and kind nurses and doctors, many of whom I've listed here.
Food services
Custodial services
I know many people think Buckeye athletics are nationally elite, cutting edge, and highly sophisticated — and they are indeed. But, in my opinion, they don’t have a thing on the Transplant Center at The Ohio State University Wexner Center. I will never forget my experience there and will sing their praises the rest of my blessed life.
Please consider being an organ donor.
Jeff Mitton, 66, lives in Galloway
At a glance
For more information about organ donation, visit Donate Life Ohio, https://www.donatelifeohio.org/ and Lifeline of Ohio, https://lifelineofohio.org/, the Wexner Medical Center, https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/transplant/buckeye-for-life, Life Connection of Ohio, https://lifeconnection.org/facts/
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