a tale of 2 kidneys, 4 years … 4th Kidneversary already

a sweet new year, no?

If you are a loyal long-time reader, you know this personal datum about The Guy at Manhattan Loft Guy: 4 years ago today I entered Columbia Presbyterian Hospital with two kidneys but left with one kidney. The wife of someone who works in the same school as my wife entered with two dysfunctional kidneys and left with one very excellent, high functioning kidney. I bring this up every year at this time not to boast (everyone does what everyone can, right?) but to go all Sally Struthers on ya. That’s below, but here’s the history, for you loyal long-time readers whose memories are (well) (you know):

I posted this the morning of, as we were heading to surgery: September 4, 2009, do any of you people know how to pray?

The school at which our spouses work did a piece about our new connection for the community newsletter, which got a link in my January 20, 2010, adventures in nephrology / about that kidney donation….

The prior anniversary posts are (slightly) different ways to tell (mostly) the same story:

• September 4, 2010, Happy Kidneversary Day to all

• September 4, 2011, so a man walks into a restaurant with his kidney, and their spouses … ? Happy 2nd Kidneversary!

• September 4, 2012, Happy 3rd Kidneyversary

The chances are pretty good that you are one degree of separation from someone who needs a kidney donation; you may even be that close to someone (else) who has made a living kidney donation. While the need is remarkably common, finding a kidney for transplant is a tough needle to thread.

Not everyone is suitable or interested in donating a kidney while alive; I understand that. What I don’t understand is someone who would not make arrangements for their kidney (and any other usable parts) to be used to benefit others after that person is done using them. I.e., has died.

It’s really simple to register your intention to donate on your demise. It’s really needed. I won’t make you click through the past Manhattan Loft Guy posts: go to the NY Organ Donor Network for links with information and resources, one of which (spoiler alert!) will take you to this NYS Department of Motor Vehicles link to register on-line as a donor (it’s a little cumbersome to set up; you can also do it by mail but you won’t, so take the time to do it on-line), with bonus videos from Dr. Oz.

If you don’t know who Sally Struthers is, think commercials for charities. Hence this from my first anniversary post:

I feel like Sally Struthers
Thousands of people die every year without having gotten the organ donation that could save their lives. Millions of people die every year without having made arrangements to donate any usable organs. You can do something about that today.

If you have a different way to do something good today, feel free to improvise. And send some warm thoughts my way, and Susan’s, on our anniversary.

© Sandy Mattingly 2013