__ORGAN DONATIONs SAVE LIVES___

prism

amazing awesomeness!!!

Bathgate66

Today is the 3 month anniversary for me and my new kidney, courtesy of an incredible friend & awesome human being Kevin Lynch.
We celebrated by going to get him a new phone, cleaning one of his clients medical offices , going to eat dinner, then going back to his place to watch GLEE. Not my choice but hey I kept checking Yankees on commercials,
Life is suddenly very good.

Fifthelement

Happy 3 Month Anniversary Glad to hear that things are going well

JaneNY

So glad things are going okay!

PureandEasy

Wow, it's been three months already? Damn, time flies.

Glad to hear things are going well.

And I quickly scrolled through the syringe picture, I hate needles. You'd never know I am a 5x's a year blood donor.

Bathgate66

PureandEasy wrote:

Wow, it's been three months already? Damn, time flies.

Glad to hear things are going well.

And I quickly scrolled through the syringe picture, I hate needles. You'd never know I am a 5x's a year blood donor.

I'm hoping they dont draw your blood
with anything remotely familiar to that monster spring loaded syringe.
Its so big and cumbersome,
but really its more intimidating looking than it really is .

PureandEasy

I couldn't tell you what the needle looks like. I've been donating blood for over 20 years now and I have NEVER seen the needle.

I just don't look. And that works for me.

Bathgate66

Going for another checkup at Columbia this Thursday! Hopefully, i'll get back to work soon !

This is a very touching note that both my living donor Kevin and myself received at a benefit held in our honor approx 3 months ago , shortly after our simulataneous Surgeries..

All of my coworkers either showed up or contributed to the fund. They were all very generous, I am so very lucky to have such high quality, great people to work with .

March 28, 2011

Dear Andrew,

You have taught me that the act of organ donation is more than just a surgeon's ability to enhance and extend life through their technical expertise. It is a selfless act based upon the greatest gift which is the enormous concern for the well being of others over your own . It is something so matter-of-fact , so obvious to the donor and recipient ,, but non-the-less, strikes a strong emootional response to all those connected. For myself , I am moved by the love of your friendship and how it trumps fear and the "what ifs" that generally accompanies the decision to act. Surgeons contribute to living acts that are sometimes considered miraculous, but in truth what is a real living miracle is the two of you and what you would do for each other .Please accept this gift in honor of that .

Sincerely,

Gilbert G. Makabali , M.D.
Attending , Department of Surgery
St. Johns Episcopal Hospital, South Shore
327 Beach 19th Street
Far Rockaway, N.Y. 11691

decides2dream

Wow bathy!
I've been gone a good long while, I had no idea!
I am SO happy for you!!!

Much love
Xo

PureandEasy

Wow, very touching letter. How sweet.

PJPixie

Good Stuff! So very happy for you!

prism

such an immensely touching & very well stated letter

& you know....

Bathgate66

Tacrolimus levels are too high now. ( 12.something )
WTF- Roller Coaster x 10 !
Decreased my Prograf doses to 8 MG / 3x daily ( down from 10MG 3x/day )
Going back to Columbia this Thursday for more bloodwork,
then the following Thursday for doctor visit.
I hope to soon be allowed to return to work -
this is getting crazy now !

Claireack

Good luck Bathgate, love reading all your updates.

Thanks.

Bathgate66

Prograf down to 6 MG - 3x daily ( every 8 hours)
Didnt get the levels, only that I needed another decrease in dosage.
Another doctor visit this Thursday,..

I''m on the 5am, 1pm, 9pm schedule.
Works best for my job schedule.
I'm hoping to be back there, any minute now !
Looooooong overdue,..


:thumbup:

prism

awesome...that you're finally getting acclimated to the tacrolimus...

me thinks you'll feel better since your dosage is getting lower...reduced side effects...yaay!

Bathgate66

tonights the first live musical event since i've had my transplant.
Going alone
( well, with Joe from here @ the forums, so I guess not really alone but anyhow )
VERY Emotional !

My signature really wraps it up

It ain't no sin to be glad you are alive

Thanks in advance , Eddie !

:thumbup:

SVRDhand13

Bathgate66 wrote:

tonights the first live musical event since i've had my transplant.
Going alone
( well, with Joe from here @ the forums, so I guess not really alone but anyhow )
VERY Emotional !

My signature really wraps it up

It ain't no sin to be glad you are alive

Thanks in advance , Eddie !

:thumbup:

Yesterday was great. Now let's hope we get within the first 10 rows tonight .

Bathgate66

wow this thread got buried !

Hey folks - its been a while and a pretty hectic summer for me.


6 month anniversary note

On Febuary 24th, 2011, ~~already 6 months past ~~I was transplanted with not only a brand new kidney ,but a brand new lease on life itself. I must express my deepest appreciations and gratitude , and to acknowledge the most generous and selfless person I have ever beeen lucky enough to know in this lifetime. Thanks to Kevin Lynch for extending my time here on earth.
Kevin has allowed me to continue with Gods plan for my life and the things I am personally most passionate about:

-- My Family, my faith , my job ( & great coworkers ) , old and new friends ,

The New York Rangers , The New York Yankees , PEARL JAM, and Bruce .
Not only do I carry a piece of Kevin with my in my abdomen with my new kidney,
but he is forever inside my heart as well.
Thank you so so much, Kevin Lynch ,
an awesome man and spectacular human being.

2/24/2011 http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 8176_n.jpg


My prograf levels and creatine seemed to have leveled off.
My next doctors appointment is October 6th @ Columbia -Pres
and he assures me i will be released and cleared to return to work !
This will be the 7 month mark
and a little bit behind where we originally anticipated,
but hey , it's all good !

I am currently taking 6 MG of Prograf ( Tacrolimus )
2 x daily, and the level is hovering somewhere around 10,
which is acceptable and within normal range for post transplant.
The kidney is working well and performing all of its tasks.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and words of encouragement.
Its all been deeply appreciated and I have much gratitude to all of you.
You all helped me along the way !
I've also developed many new friendships out there as a result of my ordeal and the many sympathetic and thoughtful Pearl Jam fans out there.
You guys rock.

Thanks again,

Andrew

PureandEasy

Thanks for the update Andrew. I still can't get over how awesome it is that someone gave up a part of themselves to help another person live.

Hopefully all of your posts have inspired others to consider it.

Take care, hope to see you in Philly again soon.