Women's News and Views on Life, Love and Leisure in the Real World
Our Regular
Features:
The gURLz Gazette Free Style Column
Issue 1, Vol 1, July 2001.
Here is a space where all staff members are free to express themselves creatively, be it a short story, some advice or health tips, life experiences, or just whatever is on our mind that we feel is relevant.
Hopefully, you will think it is interesting too! ~ The gURLz ~
A Most Remarkable Gift
A True Story by Robin Leonard
The other day at work, one of my co-workers dropped in to the office to say hello to everyone. He had been off work for a few weeks due to illness.
He came in, with his lovely wife, and I must say that I have never seen my friend look better. He looked strong, and healthy and vital for the first time since I can remember.
You see, my friend has been undergoing kidney dialysis for several years, 3 times a week. He has been on the waiting list for a new kidney for a very long time.
Well, it turns out that about 4 weeks ago, he got a late night call to come on down for his new kidney. Off he went, and the operation has been a remarkable success!
Sure, he will have to be on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life, but that seems like a much more preferable alternative to dialysis.
He told me that he feels much better, his appetite is back to normal, and he can once again enjoy many foods that he was once unable to consume. He will be able to see his small children grow up and get married, and he will be able to grow old with his wife.
Unfortunately, all of this good came at a terrible cost to another family. Apparently, his donor was a teenaged girl, who had died in a tragic car crash.
Her poor family! The grief they must be going through right now. The pain they will feel at her loss for the rest of their lives... And yet, at perhaps the worst moment of their lives, they made a heart-wrenching choice, to donate their daughters organs.
With that choice, part of their child will live on, helping to give life (or improve quality of life) to who knows how many other recipients like my friend, Suki.
That family unselfishly gave the gift of life to a total stranger, in my mind, so that their daughter did not die for nothing. In death, she was able to give life, the most precious gift of all.
It is not my place to try and encourage people to become organ donors, in fact, I am only just considering that possibility myself, but if you have never considered the idea before, maybe give it some thought.
I wish my friend a continued speedy recovery and a wonderful life ahead for him and his family...
And, although I will never know the name of the family whose daughter passed away, I wish to express my sincere sympathy at their loss, and offer a heartfelt thank you, for their most remarkable gift.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy summer holiday!
Drive carefully!
