Drive for Five: Well-Being Bond

Those of us stuck in the world of end-stage renal disease, on dialysis and working to recruit more live organ donors to address America’s growing kidney crisis spend a lot of time discussing our physical health. I wish to have a dollar for every time a well-intentioned person has asked,? “Mac, how are you feeling?”

The constant checking of blood pressure, weight, pulse rate and blood sugar levels is a reminder of a grim reality: excessive amounts of any of the above put tremendous stress on the kidneys. It’s forcing far too many into dialysis and languishing on transplant lists. The words of "Drive for Five" Network ambassador Randy Weber ring in my head. The two-time Olympic ski jumper and kidney/liver recipient nails it when saying, “If you’re on a list, most likely? You’re gonna die on a list.”

Tragic but true. About 5,500 annually perish in America.

However, what about the mental aspect of these respective journeys with renal failure and the somewhat obsessive quest to recruit someone to, “Share their spare and save a life?” The psychological piece, one man’s opinion, tends to get minimized because physical health grabs most of the attention.

The mental side of this journey became quite evident recently while interviewing two amazing souls. Scott Ruth, a Colorado native who decided to share his and the recipient of this altruistic gesture, Carolina Jimenez.

The three of us chatted over Zoom. It was the first time they had ever laid eyes on one another. There had been email correspondence since the procedure in March 2021, but never before had donor and recipient visually seen the other. “How are you doing,” Ruth asked in such a loving manner. “I’m have always wondered if my kidney would be ‘good enough’ for you and restore your health and life.”

Jimenez didn’t hesitate in responding. “I’m feeling great. Thank you so much. How are you doing?” It was at this moment an epiphany struck your scribe with more force than being diagnosed in April 2023 with Amyloidosis, its destruction of my kidneys, the need for chemotherapy and dialysis to stay alive and the pursuit of a living donor: Lots of donors worry about the health of their recipient and lots of recipient worry about the health of their donors.

Mentally it is a melting of the minds. Two travelers brought together in a way most would never have imagined. Before this meeting and a chance to visually observe one another? Always wondering. The education continues unabated for a 66-year-old dude and the DFF Network team. We’re committed to raising awareness to the need for more live organ donors, less kidney disease and innovative legislative policies encouraging more donation of what most have in abundance - spare kidney, lobe of liver or bone marrow - to save the life of another.

Watching Ruth and Jimenez interact was heartwarming, especially Ruth’s reaction. It seems there will never be a day moving forward where the software engineer doesn’t think about the well being of a beautiful woman and military spouse. Carolina has a piece of Scott and forever a place in his heart. Carolina on the other hand, forever more will pray her Good Samaritan enjoys good health, which is overwhelming the case for most donors. Rarely are there complications and donors live vibrant lives. In fact, Ruth just climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with other donors from the Kidney Donor Athletes organization which promotes such athletic endeavor to raise awareness, “You can do just fine with one kidney."

Donor recovery is usually relatively easy. A night or two in the hospital, upon discharge benevolent souls are encouraged to take it easy for a week or so but then begin to exercise lightly and gradually return to normal activities within a month. Qualifying to become a donor, with the extensive testing, is often cited as more arduous than donation and recovery itself. It’s tedious. Want to explore yourself. Here's a good place to start: https://nkr.org/MCF936

Less of self becomes a mental challenge for donor, “Was my spare good enough?” And for recipient, “Is my donor okay?” Watching Ruth and Jimenez interact? There’s no question, the bond of well being is everlasting!