Hey everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well.
Well Easter is almost here and sooner than most, the last time it was this early was in 1865 and the next time it will be early will be in 224 years. More useless info.
Chuck P. I tried to email you re: your friend with the similar situation as mine and was unable to get through, can you email me directly at eric_g_deleon@sbcglobal.net ?
Also for anyone else out there, China has stopped all foreign transplants, don't give up, I have been in contact with a patient who is in another country for his transplant, and they take medical insurerence from other country's but not the U.S.A. thanks to our AMA . So anyone needing this info please email me separately.
Happy Easter to everyone and have a great year, keep blogging and keep in touch.
Thank you all for your support, and a very special thanks to the unknown donor.
Love
Eric
posted by TransplanTraveler @ 9:33 AM
2 Comments:
Eric, I am so happy you are doing well. I always read with interest, about your progress and the way you are handling the many challenges presented to you.
It was interesting that you mentioned the uniqueness of Easter this year; It also happened to be Kevin's birthday. I wish we had been able to get Kevin to China sooner and before all the controversy surrounding foreign country organ transplants became so public. While Kevin was there the Chinese were already aware of how much adverse publicity they were recieving over the way they obtained organs for transplant. It makes me wonder if Kevin may have been passed over due to bad publicity. Probably not, but I can't help but wonder.
There were many livers that became available while Kevin spent two months in China waiting, and it must be made known that all of them were either HIV positive, deceased, or not compatible to Type O blood which Kevin had. Kevin's time ran out and he died in a country half way around the world with only his best friend Sherry, and me, his mom by his side. In retrospect, we may have done more to enlighten ourselves about the potential of not receiving a viable organ and not being able to return home. Even after death, we could only bring Kevin home by having his body cremated. While it was his desire to be cremated, I can't imagine the heartache it would cause a family whose loved one did not believe in or wany cremation. We literally carried Kevin home with us in a box...so hard to do but there was no way we have left his remains so far away.
Kevin, knew he had become too sick to survive and he wanted to come home. But he was bleeding internally and no airline would transport him in that condition. This important fact is something that needs to be considered before a patient leaves home. He was so courageous but had we been more educated, we may have kept our loved one home surrounded by the many family and friends who loved him. I know, hindsight is 20 20, but I feel the public needs to recognize the potential for failure in other countries.
You were one of the very lucky ones Eric, and I am so so happy you continue to progress, but it is important for people to know that it is not a given that a good liver is readily available. You are also lucky in that you have had access to newspaper and TV coverage to share your story, but Eric, the public also needs to know both sides.
I would love to do more to promote the need for organ donation here at home, and for the very real need to change the criteria used for eligibilty to receive a transplant. We both know that there are numerous organs that can be used to save lives if only the public were better educated about the need.
Continue to get better Eric, I pray for you and your family and for you to enjoy a long and healthy life. God bless you for keeping us updated on your progress. Kevin I am sure is keeping tabs on you and cheering you on. It meant so much to him to communicate with you.
Give the kids a hug.
Your friend, Kevins mom,
Connie
Hi Eric,
My name is Kiran Syed.
I e mailed u on ur address but u haven't replied yet.Hope u are doing well.My mom is a Pakistani citixen requiring a liver tranplant.She has cihrrosis and hep -c.I need info re: tranplant in chaina,your experience,safety info and cost info.I m a Canadaian citozen but my mom's immigration wloud take 3 years so we need to do something right now.please help me.my email is:
k_ vohra@hotmail.com
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