A couple Sundays ago, we were blessed to be able to hold our first book event at a beautiful store in Clarkston, Michigan, very near where Carrie and I met in high school. It’s called Yellow Dog Marketplace. The owner, Marla, did a great job in getting the word out about the book, because the event was very well attended, beyond what we could have hoped for or imagined.
Of course, there were a lot of folks that Carrie and I know who attended, but we were struck by the number of folks we did not know who had learned about the event and came. Most were people with family members awaiting a transplant, or who had received one, and were encountering challenges acclimating to the changes in their body.
We spoke with one woman whose son is awaiting a transplant. As we talked, it became clear that she did not know that it is possible to get on the waiting list at more than one transplant hospital (called a “multiple listing”). Each hospital has its own requirements, of course, and the important thing is to be able to get to the hospital within a certain number of hours when the organ does become available.
I was once again struck by the realization that so much more attention needs to be placed upon the world of organ donation. For those awaiting an organ, they are most often reliant upon their medical professionals, many of whom are not completely informed about patient advocacy in the transplant world, sadly.
It is only by being open, honest and vulnerable, and sharing our stories, that we can help each other navigate the physical, mental and emotional challenges in this world.
I participate in discussion groups for transplant recipients on Facebook; these are a fabulous resource and source of support, and we cover a vast range of topics. I invite anyone with questions to reach out to me (mymiraclemantoddhensel@gmail.com) as it is my honor and my way of giving back to lend support and insight as best I can.