The Best Gift

As the holiday season comes and everyone gets in the rush of finding the "perfect gift" for those in their family, I'm always reminded that I have already gotten the "perfect gift"...my second heart.  As you rush around in your shopping, stop a second and think about having that conversation with your family and make a committment to be an organ donor.

Most donor hearts last 10-20 years, and to keep them that long transplant patients have to take some very strong anti-rejection drugs that have some pretty serious side effects, all of which vary from patient to patient.  I'm approaching year 8 this February, but I'm not worried about the future.  These extra years have been another gift, and I've tried to find ways to really enjoy them to their fullest.

All who know me also know that I'm a big Oklahoma State fan, so I am really enjoying this football season.  Thanks to the generosity of my little brother, who donated to the Tulsa Zoo auction and won 2 suite tickets with parking to Bedlam, my father and I will be attending (weather permitting).  The last time I was at an OSU game was about a year before the transplant and I could barely walk into the stadium and was so tired that I slept on the way home.  This time will be different...I'm going to enjoy every second of it!

I don't take the future for granted anymore.  I may be fortunate enough to have a heart that will last 20 years without a problem...and I may not.  I might be fortunate enough to be given a second heart at some point.  But, if the worse were to come, I want to know that I took advantage of every extra day by helping someone else, made a difference in someone's life, and tried to be a good example to those around me.  A person can't ask for a better life than that!