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jackdej
Member
Username: Jackdej
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 09:39 am: | 
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 I had my first heart attack at age 32 (1975). Subsequent heart attacks led to a heart transplant in 1997. My heart ransplant was performed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. I simply do not have adequate words to describe the wonderful medical care I have received from the doctors, nurses and staff at UAB. I know the history of my donor family, but have avoided direct contact with them on the advice of my transplant team. I thank God for them every day.
Since my first heart attack in 1975, I had many catheterizations which damaged my kidneys. In 2004 I had a bad reaction to cellcept which caused my small intestine to shut down. Over a two-month period I lost 70 pounds and came close to dying from malnutrition. I spent thirty days in the hospital and ultimately was placed on I.V. TPN. We returned home and after two weeks I developed a massive systemic infection which led to another several weeks in the hospital. The infection severely damaged my already wounded kidneys and my prognosis was that a kidney transplant was a certainty.
I limped along with stage three to four kidney failure and was listed for a kidney transplant in 2007. During the evaluation process I was diagnosed with prostate cancer which had to be resolved before a transplant would be approved.
I had brachytherapy and hormone treatment for a year, which resolved my cancer, and we started moving forward toward a kidney transplant.
I have been pastor of a large Methodist Church that my wife and I founded 20 years ago so I had many contacts. Twenty-one people offered to give me a kidney as living donors. None passed the physical and we had decided that I was not likely to get a kidney from a living donor.
I then had a flair-up of diverticulitis and had a colectomy removing 13 inches of my large intestine.
Then a miracle happened. A homeless man showed up at church seeking a job. A part time job was arranged and when he heard of my need for a kidney, He said, "That's why God sent me here I have that man's kidney." The incredible thing is that this man was a recovering alcoholic and drug abuser. He had served nine years in prison and several different terms in jail. We thought there was no possible way that his kidney would be suitable. The miracle--it was a perfect match and on October 26, 2009 I was blessed to receive a functional kidney. My recovery has been uneventful and I am doing extremely well.
Again, I am deeply thankful to the doctors and staff at UAB, my marvelous wife who has stood by me as a caregiver and prayer warrior through all we have been through, Allen Leftridge for the gift of his kidney and to my gracious God for continuing to extend my life.
I invite you to travel along with me by visitin}g my blog at http://www.jackdejarnette.org.
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Meagan
Forum Leader
Username: Newheart14
Post Number: 1168
Registered: 01-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 09:54 am: |
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Hi Jack,
Welcome to Transplant Buddies.
What an amazing story. I got goosebumps reading it. You certainly went through a lot and I am glad to hear you are doing well now.
I believe in miracles.
Take care,
Meagan
Forum Leader
First Combined Heart-Liver Transplant
Performed at Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
February 14, 2008
Diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 1991 and eventual CHF
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when there seemed to be no hope at all - Dale Carnegie |
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Hostess Rise'
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 12995
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 01:03 pm: |
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Hello Jack 
Welcome to TransplantBuddies. Your story is incredibly moving. I have read many stories here but never one like yours. I am going to send a member your story.
I just added your blog to my favorites and will also add it here. http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/28848/95308.html?1272996101
If you are able to add links to your blog, I would greatly appreciate a reciprocal link to TransplantBuddies.com and if you would like to add in Transplantfriends.com too that would be great.
I too believe in miracles!
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Karen R.
Forum Leader
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 4426
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 09:44 pm: |
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Jack:
Welcome to Transplant Buddies! Wow! You have an incredible story. You have had your share of struggles, but goodness you have had some amazing miracles. God is so good!!
I am so glad that you are doing well and that you have shared your story with us. Please continue to visit. We look forward to getting to know you.
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Double lung transplant on Dec. 1st, 2009
Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
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nancyjacobs
Member
Username: Nancynurse
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2011
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 - 05:28 pm: |
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I agree with the others, what an incredible moving story. God truly came through in the end and to think about how many lives have been touched by the story. Congratulations. I am hoping to undergo a kidney transplant. This will be my second, the first failure through rejection that never got off the ground. I have been on hemodialysis for four years so I would be so grateful. I wish you luck and say a prayer for mine too. I have been doing some research on the internet does anyone know anything about the site:
http://iuhealth.org
Please get back to me if so. Any information would be beneficial. |
Hostess Rise'
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 16374
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 - 07:26 pm: |
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Hi Nancy
Welcome to Transplant Buddies
I wish you the very best with your future transplant. I do not know anything about the hospital you mentioned. I would go to our resource forum and look for the link about transplant centers to see if anyone shared their information. You can always private message someone by clicking on the underlined name. to the left of each post.
CF- dx at 2yrs. 2nd double lung tx-05
Debra Fertel MD- Jackson Memorial
Si Pham MD, Professor of Surgery
Anas Hadeh MD, Cleveland Clinic, Weston
My Photos on Transplant Friends
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nancyjacobs
Member
Username: Nancynurse
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 08:36 am: |
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Rise-thank you so much for the information. Gives me hope. |
Hostess Rise'
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 16383
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 08:50 am: |
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Hi Nancy
Just to let you know for the future if you want to keep sharing with us, your name will be picked up by search engines. If you want to protect your identity please change your name shown on posts.
You can click on Edit profile top left of the forum.
This is the draw back of the internet. Be careful when sharing your name and address online.
CF- dx at 2yrs. 2nd double lung tx-05
Debra Fertel MD- Jackson Memorial
Si Pham MD, Professor of Surgery
Anas Hadeh MD, Cleveland Clinic, Weston
My Photos on Transplant Friends
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