In the early 1970s, it was discovered that I had two kidneys that were atrophied. It probably was from some sort of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed problem as a child. My situation was continually watched as my creatinine slowly rose. This went on for over 30 years.  In 2003, it was felt that I really needed to get on a transplant list. I had the required tests done and in early spring of 2003 I was placed on such a list. 

At this time, I really felt bad. I asked to be put on dialysis. Although I continued to work full time, this process really drains you. You get very tired.

I worked with the University of Penn, which is where I eventually received my transplant. My ninth call on Feb. 1, 2004, was my charm. The lady on the phone said six of the most important words that I have ever heard: “The doctor wants to admit you.” Everything went very well. I had a real problem dealing with the fact that someone had to die for me to receive my kidney. Over time, I have accepted it.

You are told nothing about the donor or the family except any health conditions that are known about the donor. You are able to communicate with the donor family if you wish through the Gift of Life Donor program. I wrote a number of letters, which the Gift of Life forwarded to the donor’s family. They did the same.

Ultimately each family agreed to exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. We then corresponded directly through e-mail. Finally, one great day in August 2006, we had the wife and son of my donor in our house for dinner. It was a wonderful and uplifting experience. They are great people and I feel that we now have a new extended family.

My kidney function decreased over a long period of time. I knew that I was feeling bad but did not realize just how bad until I received another kidney. I found a life that I had forgotten that I had. I am back to bowling, gardening and just about anything else that I want to do. My wife and I are volunteers for the Gift of Life Donor Program. We want to give back and help others understand what a wonderful gift a transplant can be. In addition, I have joined a singing group in our church, sing for the Newark Senior Chorus and am now a member of a local PAWS group. This is an organization that coordinates taking pets (dogs and cats) into nursing homes and hospitals. Brittany (our Sheltie) and I go. I now am able to travel and enjoy our grandchildren and great-grandchildren more

In 1997 during my surgical residency in Philadelphia, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy--an enlargement of the heart for unknown reasons. I was placed on the heart transplant list at that time but my condition improved with medication and was able to complete my residency as a status II on the transplant list. 

My troubles returned in 1999 in the form of Atrial Fibrillation. My heart wasn’t contracting properly, causing an irregular rhythm. I gave up my career as a physician and moved to Delaware to work for the Division of Public Health.

In 2004, I had another battle with Atrial Fibrillation. After numerous attempts at cardioversion, the physicians proceeded with placing a Medtronic Defibrillator in me to maintain my heart function. In April 2005, the inevitable had happened--my heart had failed again. I was then re-admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

My heart failure physicians had feared the worst. My condition deteriorated rapidly. I had gone into cardiogenic shock whereby my heart, liver, and kidneys failed.  It was determined that I may not live long enough for a heart transplant. I was placed on a Left Ventricular Artificial Device (LVAD) to help my failed heart. With the LVAD’s potential complications and last-resort implications, my wife and I were very frightened. After receiving the LVAD, my status on the heart transplant list was very high, and that status has moved me up to the top of the list. I was one among four individuals living in the hospital with the LVAD waiting for a heart at that time. One didn’t survive to get his heart. That made the waiting even harder to bear.

It was on July 5th when I had gotten word that a match had been found for me. I remember that morning sitting in my room. It has been four months now living at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The prospect of a new heart seemed distant. I remember my nurse running into my room screaming, "We got your heart.” I cried immediately but the wait wasn’t quite over. First the hospital had to wait to make sure they could get the heart. Then came the tests to make sure it would be a good match.

It was midnight, after waiting agonizing hours, when I learned that I would actually receive the transplant. I remember laying in the operating room just calming my mind and then the next thing I knew, I woke up and had a new heart. 

In a week, I was discharged from the hospital and returned home to my home in Wyoming, DE. I am now taking anti-rejection medications plus vitamins and supplements. I have completed my rehabilitation program and I have returned to work full-time with DPH. I am also back to teaching at my martial arts school.