In 1995 after over eight years of being on the San Francisco Medical Center Transplant waiting list, a call came in at 2 am and I was told to get down to San Francisco, they had a liver transplant waiting for me.
**The Experiences before and after my transplant are a whole other story than I can share right now.
Such as an ulcer bleed that gave me a near death experience, and where I talked to a young Indian woman, on a mountain tops, I stood and looked across at her and our minds talked about my life. She and I discussed my return to earth. smile...On to second transplant story;
A year later, in 1996 my husband John after suffering from heart failure for a few years, along with other illnesses, waited in the same hospital in San Francisco for a heart transplant. (During that time period we had several other events take place. I was in a major car crash, with my new transplant, we lost our real estate land projects,partnership and I had to close our office, and fire employees, which was the hardest thing I had to do, as they were good friends. We also lost our income another storyline.
John was given a heart transplant survived it but had harder recovery.
Both transplants were done at San Francisco Medical Hospital and both cost over one million dollars. Thank god for our long term health insurance, although we had out of pocket expenses. Rent, etc.
The San Francisco journey is another whole story.
We had to use our savings as my husbands partners in real estate development projects (five commercial and residential)in the State of Nevada Fired our land development company as our contract as development partners had a due to 6mos illness clause, and John was in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant. With no salaries we had to close our doors, and use savings to pay expenses in the bay area, along with traveling back and forth I was a wreck. Meanwhile to finish the part of my story, we of course lost everything within two years. Our antiques went out the back and front doors, my collections of jewelry, artwork, mud-men etc. sold quickly and I used monies to pay our overhead. Then, I couldn't keep the house (a Victorian home in Carson City, Nevada) And finally we lost both our cars.
But on a more positive light....What we gained was our lives....can't cry over the little things, so saved my tears for more important things, and because homeless.
Did I mention we had a flood in the house or that I had a major car accident on the way to my apt while we waited for Johns transplant?
You see, we had so many things that just popped up and had to be delt with, I had to get over it, really fast and we *my daughter Michelle and her boyfriend Keean, John and have never been closer.
So What if any advise can I give you.
Stay positive, believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, know that you can cry as much and as often as you wish, it does help me calm down when finished, but know that all the crying will not change things, so you must be brave, and not sweat the small things, as youll need your energy for the bigger picture. And, know that IF you are called to leave this earth, a house can be replaced, a car is just a thing, and money is there awaiting you. Mainly, this is not the ending story but just a new beginning. God Bless and keep you whoever and wherever you are....Sandy
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Add a Comment3 Comments
Sandy-
You and your family are so strong. I have such great respect for you and am so glad you are sharing your story.
May 17, 2008 - 3:15pmThis Comment
Thanks for telling us your story, I can't believe so much has happened to both you and your husband. The Bay area is really expensive so I can imagine the costs you incurred.
Thankfully you had insurance. What is your take on universal health care? Do you think it would have helped you both much more than the current system we have now?
Hope to read more of you blogs!
May 17, 2008 - 12:38pmThis Comment
It sounds like you and your husband have been through so much in so little time. I admire your positive spirit and your willingness to share your story and am happy to hear that you and your husband have grown closer as a result of your experiences. I imagine that going through a transplant isn't easy. Were you able to find someone to advocate on your behalf?
May 17, 2008 - 9:54amThis Comment