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| We spent many hours selecting information from national organizational websites, only to conclude that the professionals can do it better. We feel it is more beneficial to provide our readers with the websites who have staffs of professionals to compile the information and statistics. www.unos.org United Network for Organ Sharing www.transplantliving.org for additional information We believe that the most effective way to encourage people to be listed as a potential organ donor is through personal contact with an organ recipient. We have been doing this on a small scale by presenting brief talks at schools, fraternal organizations and county fairs. Our plan is to expand this activity after the completion of our circumnavigation by maintaining an "Organ Donation" booth at as many major boat shows as funds will allow. Boat shows are among the largest of all trade shows and will allow us to come face to face with many thousands of the most generous and giving people in the country. This, coupled with the news media, which we believe will be extensive, will allow us to make a difference. Additionally, at every opportunity, we visit patients who are hospitalized while waiting for a matching organ. This wait can be days, but is usually months, and all too often is not in time. We know that our visits are appreciated, as noted by the feedback from the doctors and the personal cards received from patients, thanking us and expressing their appreciation. "DON'T TAKE YOUR ORGANS TO HEAVEN - HEAVEN KNOWS WE NEED THEM HERE: |
| THE TRANSPLANT STORY OF CAPTAIN LIEN |
I am a retired military officer and an experienced boater/sailer. In December 1991, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at Madigan Army Hospital in Fort Lewis, Washington. This progressive condition continued to take its toll on me and my family but with medication was still able to spend quality time in my retirement sailing.
My wife Maureen, dog Fiji and I sailed in our 45' Sloop for the next 6 years. traveling to places such as Alaska, California, and many parts of Western Mexico. The years flew quickly by and in July 1998 my health forced us to return to the states. We sold the boat and moved to our home state of Minnesota. I was being seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In July 2002, I was implanted with a pacemaker, however, it was of little help and in October 2002, a dream came true for me when, at the age of 68, I was placed on the transplant list and hospitalized in the CCU to wait for a miracle heart and kidney.
During my time there, I became friends with a young man of 28 who needed a heart/lung transplant. In his case, as in too many, the organs did not arrive in time. I was starting to think what I could do to encourage more people to become active in the organ donation programs. I had no major plan at the time, but I did know that I would at least bring the subject up at every opportunity.
I was one of the lucky ones and, on January l, 2003, a match was found and my doctor was in my room within the hour telling me and my wife that a heart and kidney was on the way. Upon his arrival, he explained the potential dangers and step by step procedures for the next day or two. With my family by my side, I went into surgery at 0400 on January 2, 2003. Thirteen hours later after a successful surgery, I was moved to recovery with a new heart/kidney/hernia repair.
A near painless nine days later I was released from the hospital but, as with all heart transplant patients, I was required to stay in the Rochester area for 90 days with my wife as a caregiver. Appointments followed almost every day for the first month and slowly became less frequent. I recovered quickly and six months following my surgery I roofed my house on the hotest weekend of the summer. A few months after that I passed my DOT physical and found a part-time job delivering Winnebago motor homes from the factory in Iowa to dealers, mostly in Southern California. If anyone has questions on any part of this site, especially on organ transplant, please contact me.
My e-mail address is alien@organ-donation-for-life.com, I have no idea what the traffic will be, I can only promise to respond to as many as possible.
A primary objective of this project is to demonstrate that a person who has recovered from a transplant, even multiple transplants, can return to normal life. They can pursue their career, participate in most sports and expect many years of life because of some generous heroic person. |
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