I had been told a short time earlier that I would need dialysis within the next year. I had also been told for the first time ever, that I should consider having a kidney and pancreas transplant. As I tried to survive the ride home, I prayed I would have enough gas to get me there while I thought about this new transplant option. Doug's heart still beats in the chest of a then-46 year old gentleman, one of his corneas saved the eyesight of a 31 year old, his liver saved another life and his right kidney spared a man from dialysis. I was blessed to meet his beautiful family and have shared many special times with them.
Life is amazing, people are fascinating and health is precious.
Well, I have had an amazing two years since my transplant. 1998 was a fabulous year for me. It was always a dream of mine to visit there. In August '98 my mother, niece Heather and I attended the Transplant Olympics in Columbus, Ohio and had a wonderful time. Alex Carlin and became a step-mom to two children, Andrew 13 and Brittany 9.