A personal note: I’m still here because…

Comments

8 responses to “A personal note: I’m still here because…”

1. 

   Beth

   September 2, 2025

   So glad for you! Thanks for this & all your posts.

   Reply
   1. 

      cparker

      September 3, 2025

      Thanks, Beth.

      Reply
2. 

   Michael

   September 3, 2025

   Thank you for your post. I’m currently in the process of qualifying to donate a kidney to a friend who is on dialysis due to kidney failure and I’ve had worries that my efforts might be wasted if her body rejects the kidney. I’ve also heard once someone starts dialysis a transplant only last 10 years. I’m really hopeful that isn’t the case. But I’m glad to see that decades can elapse wihout needing a replacement.

   Reply
   1. 

      cparker

      September 3, 2025

      Thanks, Michael. It differs with individual cases. I was on dialysis for a little less than two years. My case may not be typical, however, and I don’t know the current statistics. I do know that the donation facilitation organizations and hospitals want successful transplants. They do their best to make sure the match is a good one. I’m also pretty sure the the technology and anti-rejection meds have probably improved significantly over the last 30 years.

      Look on the transplantation information sites. You should also ask the agency through which the arrangements are to be made to provide you with resources to answer your questions. You can find some brief stats here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6379008/

      I applaud your generous heart, and respect your caution. I will point out that even 10 years of extra life is a remarkable gift!

      I wish your and your friend the very best!

      Reply
3. 

   Kat

   September 3, 2025

   Congratulations, what an amazing number! I worked as a transplant nurse and I know how much work goes into maintaining that kidney from the patient’s side, so kudos to you for everything you’ve done to keep it healthy. Even without getting to read your beautiful blog, I am so glad that it’s given you so much time to live your life 🙂 Cheers to your Tacrolimus!

   Reply
   1. 

      cparker

      September 4, 2025

      Thanks, Kat. My Immunosuppressant is actually modified cyclosporine, brand name Neoral, for which I was in the initial study group.

      Reply
4. 

   Ayush

   September 4, 2025

   Long time follower (been following your blog on and off since I was in highschool at 2006? a young teenager!) You’ve been a major inspiration in my journey as an artist, and your regular deep looks in paintings have been massive in pushing me to explore other artists.

   Apparently I’ve been reading your blog throughout my dialysis (2008-2013) and kidney transplant (2013)! 33 is an amazing number! I hope my transplant does that well!

   Reply
   1. 

      cparker

      September 5, 2025

      Thanks, Ayush. I appreciate the comment and I’m very glad if I have encouraged you to explore other artists, which is basically what Lines and Colors is about. Writing the blog and exploring art and artists through these years has enriched my own life beyond any expectations I could have had when I started.

      I’m happy for your transplant! You were on dialysis considerably longer than me. I was on for a little less than two years. But you were healthy enough to receive a transplant that appears to have taken well. Twelve years is a great start!

      I think a good part of my success has been my attention to safeguarding my health in general. I try to avoid things I know are bad for me, conscientiously get regular exercise, watch my blood pressure and eat the healthiest diet I know of ( https://nutritionfacts.org/video/what-is-the-healthiest-diet ). I’ve learned things from the NutritionFacts website & YouTube channel specifically related to kidney health ( https://nutritionfacts.org/?s=kidney ). For instance, science has shown that vegetable proteins are significantly less of a strain on your kidney than animal protein: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/which-type-of-protein-is-better-for-our-kidneys/ I think that alone has been a major factor.

      I wish you continued success and a long, healthy (and art-enriched) life!

      Reply