Shared Hearts, Shared Lives: The Gift Of Life - My 25-Year Journey As An Organ Donor
Today is Holy Saturday at Easter Vigil for Catholics. Does anyone had Visita Iglesia? This Holy Week is a meaningful season for meditation/reflection. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and I know almost everybody will be gone swimming with family and friends after Easter Sunday Mass and egg hunting to unwind. Keep safe!🌷🕊️
I'd like to share a life-changing experience I had two decades ago.
If you don't understand what unconditional love is, look into your brother or sister's eyes. There are times in your life when a tender, loving, caring person needs you to assure him/her and watch over him/her, and that person is not a partner, your father, or a friend. He/she needs you to hold his/her hand and tell him/her that “everything is going to be alright in his/her life” because no matter how many twists and turns that life throws at him/her, he/she always has your back! That individual is a natural buddy – that individual is a brother/sister!
I am a kidney donor. I am not here to brag but to let you understand how it feels when you share your life with your loved one. My right kidney was donated to my younger brother 25 years ago and I'm glad I did!
Most people think that if you donate one of your organs, you put yourself and your health at risk. That is a wrong notion! I am a living organ donor. I am strong, healthy, and alive by God's grace! I exercise, do yoga, or meditate to keep myself fit, and I eat foods that are good for me, such as poultry, fish, fresh vegetables, and fruits.
I admit I also have my cheat days on food but my nephrologist always reminds me to eat unprocessed and healthy foods. So, I have to discipline myself. I simply eat in moderation and have my kidney ultrasound (KUB) once a year. I have my creatinine check every six months, my urinalysis check every month, and my blood chemistry and ECG checks annually.
Do not abuse your body with unhealthy foods. I hope this serves as a wake-up call for those whose loved ones require your assistance to extend their precious life on earth.
In a typical family culture, saving each other's lives is significant, especially when you have close family ties. Nothing compares to the smiles of your loved ones, which will last a lifetime. Touching people's lives is not simply about life per se. It is built daily by humility, sacrifice, and love. Life is not about triumphs. It's about LEARNING and RISING from pitfalls. No room for regrets, only hope for what is to come. A genuine heart and graciousness are not just tender and kind but compassionate as well.
First, fourth, and fifth photos edited using collage by Canva
I am looking forward to engaging with you guys! Thank you, #Hiveians, for fetching around my blog and checking out the post. Catch you on my next blog.
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So brave of you to decide like that. All the sacrifices and I see you didn't have any regrets♥️. I can't imagine doing that.😬
Hi, dear @asiaymalay! Happy Easter!🌷🕊️ It's my moral responsibility to my brother. Maybe if you see how things stand, as an elder sister seeing your brother is in deep water, you will surely offer your hand.
When you make a decision that benefits a loved one, make sure to think about it nth times and never look back when you are done and dusted. Thanks for swinging by dear. God bless.🌷🕊️
Wow! That's incredibly selfless and inspiring. Such a powerful testimony of love and sacrifice. You just didn't save your brother's life, you gave him a chance to live. Thank you for sharing your story, it's a beautiful reminder of what family truly means.❤️
All families that love each other above all help each other in times of need, especially on the verge of death.
I was pregnant when my youngest brother got sick, and his nephrologist said he needed a transplant immediately, and his two kidneys were damaged. Out of our five siblings, two of us share his blood type. Our other brother can't donate because he's hypertensive. So I said after I give birth to my baby, we'll get blood typing done. If our tissue is compatible, I'll be the one to donate the kidney.
Five months after I gave birth to my youngest son, my brother's nephrologist said we should be put through all the tests, especially tissue typing. The result was 99.7% so my brother got a kidney transplant.
You are right, it's the deep love of one another in the family that stick us together. Thanks for swinging by @gretelarmfeg. God speed.
Your story is so inspiring. The love and selflessness you showed in your willingness to donate a kidney to your brother, especially after just giving birth, is a testament to the strength of family. You truly embody what family is all about, sacrificing, standing strong for each other, and being there when it matters most. Have a wonderful day! Hugs!🩷
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You’re a kind hearted sister. Your brother is really lucky to have you as a sister. 👏🏻
Hello, dear @leannwithdoublen thank you. It is my responsibility as a sister to help if the other is in need. Love is the greatest of all commandments. My decision is deep-rooted in love. We should never turn our backs on our siblings, especially in trying times. If we can extend help to others outside our family, then the more we extend our hand to our siblings.
That is true, I'll do the same too :D
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This really spoke to me. A heartfelt reminder that love, sacrifice,and getting back up after life's struggles are what truly matter. Beautiful and courageous words🩷
Thanks for fetching around, @teechai1982. Love is the greatest among God's commandments, and that's deeply rooted in me. Struggles and trials are part of our journey in this lifetime. So, whenever you have the chance to help, do it on your own loving way. It feels so good! Have a blessed new week ahead of you.🌷🕊️
Indeed, I agree with your thoughts about love. You've truly done a brave and inspiring thing that's all that matter.🩷
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It must have been a difficult decision for you but your for your brother triumphed thus prompting you to make that decision. You were God's instrument to help him live better. It's also amazing how you take good care of your health by eating the right kind of food and by doing meditation. You are an inspiration and a role model of courage and selflessness.
Thank you dear @bettsmarie09. As an elder sister, I must provide him with his needs but love always has a significant role in siblings. I love my brothers, especially our youngest, who is the recipient of my kidney. I was very happy with all the test results, the tissue typing, and the kidney transplant with no rejection. But after six months of a successful transplant, he passed away due to pneumonia. It was so devastated and it pained me so much. I did not expect that he will die at a young age, but God has His own plans. I have no right to question.
You are an amazing beautiful sister of your brother, The love you shared is beyond limit and your brother is so lucky to have you. Have a blessed day.
Thank you, @ronimarie82. As children of God, our love for others should always prevail, whether in your family or in your neighbor. Valuing human life is important and we should not ignore it. We should always remember that we are responsible for each of us. Like the song: "Walang sino man ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang".
Thanks for dropping by. A blessed Monday to you!💖
Very inspiring story, what you did is incredibly selfless. You've given your brother so much love, what a beautiful act of courage and compassion.
Hi there, @toniagurl27. When you see any member of your family suffering, you will find a way to provide help. Whether materially or in any other way. It is our responsibility as humans to help others or family. We should always put ourselves in the shoes of others especially if you see that they are losing hope. It's a moral/human responsibility. Our human instinct tells us to extend a hand to our brethren. Thanks for swinging by. Happy new week!🌷
Wow! Bless you Sis with your strong determination hhelp your brother.
Hi, Sis @jurich60, it's been a while!🌷 How are you? I treasure my family, and whoever needs help; if I can give it to them, I always extend my hand to help in whichever way.💕 Thanks for swinging by. Have a lovely new week ahead.🥰
Your brother is so blessed to have you as his sister. You underwent a major operation to give up your organ for someone you love. That is so selfless. You are a loving sister. It was such a great sacrifice and decision to let your brother live for a long time because of your kidney, ate. Be healthy, ate!
The essence of family is to protect and help each other which is based on love. Do you remember the song "Tayong Lahat Ay May Pananagutan Sa Isa't- isa"?(We are all responsible for one another). No one lives for himself alone. God has gathered us all to be one with Him.
My decision is deep-rooted on love. When he asked me if I was willing to donate my kidney, without blinking an eye, I said YES! For me, it isn't called sacrifice. It is an individual responsibility to be of help to our family and humanity.
The sad part was he only lived for 6 months. He passed away due to pneumonia. It pained me a lot, but God has His purpose, and we cannot question that.
Thanks for fetching around @celestyne15. Happy Easter!🌷🕊️
⋆ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ғᴏʀ sᴏᴜᴛʜᴇᴀsᴛ ᴀsɪᴀɴ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ᴏɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ
⋆ sᴜʙsᴄʀɪʙᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ
⋆ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴠᴏᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʀᴀɪʟ
⋆ ᴅᴇʟᴇɢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʟɪɴᴋs 25 ʜᴘ⇾50 ʜᴘ⇾100 ʜᴘ⇾500 ʜᴘ⇾1,000 ʜᴘ
It's my pleasure to share my thoughts in our ever supportive community, @asean.hive. Happy Easter!🌷🕊️