Grateful Patient Randy

01 Feb Grateful Patient Randy

1. Briefly describe how your patient journey began?

My journey began when I spoke to my transplant surgeon two days after my kidney transplant. I asked him how long my new kidney would last. He said something like “if you take good care of your kidney and take all your medications on time, you could get 20 years”. After that conversation, I made a 20-item bucket list. One item on that list is to run a marathon in all fifty states and seven continents.

2. How did your journey change you?

My post-transplant journey has changed everything. Things that used to stress me out before diagnosis no longer bother me. I now take on challenges that I never would have even considered before diagnosis. I now experience joy in the little things in life. I embrace physical and mental challenges with open arms. These things make me realize how great it is to be alive.

3. Is there a specific medicine/treatment/medical device/pharmaceutical company you are grateful for? I am grateful for the advances that the pharmaceutical companies have made in immune suppression therapy and anti-rejection medication. That is why I am still alive and thriving after 8.5 years.

4.Who are you most grateful for and why?

• I am grateful for the advances that the pharmaceutical companies have made in immune suppression therapy and anti-rejection medication. That is why I am still alive and thriving after 8.5 years.
• I am super grateful for my brother for offering to donate his kidney so I can survive.
• I’m grateful for other family and friends that wanted to donate to. These are people that did not want me to die. I mean something to them.
• I’m grateful for my kidney transplant coordinator, Tammy Wright from the Sharp Kidney Pancreas Transplant clinic. She made this happen.
• I’m grateful for my kidney transplant surgeon, Dr. Barry Browne. He did an amazing job and I attribute my success to his great work and dedication.
• I’m grateful for my nephrologist, Dr. Bijal Patel with Balboa Nephrology. He broke the horrific news to me that I have kidney failure. He is still my nephrologist today. Great supporter and mentor.