SUMMERSIDE John Gallant feels like hes won the lottery. But there were no lucky numbers or sratching tickets involved. His prize came in the form of a kidney.
This meant a lot more to me than money, Gallant says, chatting in his Summerside apartment. Its definitely given me my life back.
Gallant, 50, was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in the early 1990s. He initially could control the disease by watching his diet. But eventually he had to go on dialysis, the process of purifying the blood.
It was like a part-time job that I had to go to and I hated it, he explained.
Three times a week he headed out for about five hours of hemodialysis. Four hours on the machine and another half-hour each to get hooked and unhooked. Then the rest of the day feeling exhausted.
He got on the waiting list for a kidney transplant and was called to Halifax for transplant surgery not once, not twice, but three times: 2002, 2004, and finally in 2006.
Third time lucky, he quips.
The first time, there was something wrong with his lungs that made surgery potentially too risky. The second time he was fine, but the kidneys were small so only one person could benefit from the donation and they went to a higher priority case.
It was pretty hard to take at the time, Gallant admitted.
Finally, in January 2006, he got his kidney. It turned out to be a slow one; it took awhile to kick in.
Now its not going to work, he worried.
But it did. With a vengeance.
The euphoria of getting a transplant helped him realize hed been depressed after three years and 10 months on dialysis.
I just didnt like to socialize, he explained. Just stopped doing stuff. Friends would be calling me all the time and asking me, Want to go here? I said nah. I just dont feel like it. Not up to it. Either too tired I cant even go out and have maybe a drink of pop or something ... because I have to watch the fluid intake.
Gallant says he appreciates family and friends more because of what hes gone through.
I know its a cliché ... but the simple things of life do matter.
Hes grateful for the things a functioning kidney make possible: working, golfing and travelling other than to medical appointments.
I didnt think I was going to get this chance again, he says. And the only reason that Ive gotten this opportunity is because someone took the time to sign a donor card.
A new lease on life
John Gallant of Summerside has had a long road getting his kidney transplant. But he says hes looking forward to what he can do, not looking back. Lori A. Mayne/Journal Pioneer
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- Published on April 25th, 2007
- Published on June 21st, 2010
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Lori A. Mayne
April 22-29 is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week
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Comments
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- Linda
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:08:54
John, I've often wondered how you were doing, and I'm so happy to learn that everything is going well for you. I wish you continued good health. Thanks for sharing your story and take care.
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- Noelle
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:08:11
Congrats John!! I'm glad that all is well and wish you many, many years of great health and freedom. It must of been very depressing; especially after having a sister whom passed away with kidney problems. On behalf of Danielle and Quinton to their great uncle....many great well wishes to you. My organ donor card is signed and it is important to tell loved ones their wishes to donate.
take care!
Noelle, Danielle & Quinton -
- Gary
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:07:13
Wow!! Great to read that everything is now working in your favour. I did hear about you finally getting the transplant and was very happy to hear your life is now back to normal. Good luck and I hope you will now have a long happy life. I know golf will be great now and it really doesn't matter how many putts it takes! I hope that people now realize how important it is to sign the donor cards and that they know that they can help in many ways in the future
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- Claire
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:06:19
Congratulations John...now you have two birthdays, your original one & January 2006. Hopefully this story will encourage people to sign their organ donor card & as important tell their loved ones their wishes to donate. continued good health!!!
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- Susan
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:05:17
John, YOU look wonderful and we are so thrilled and happy that you have gotten back the most important thing -- your health!! Thank you for sharing your story.
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- Susan
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:04:11
Great Story. I just know John from seeing him around. I signed an organ donor card many years ago. Everyone should......
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- Lori
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:03:22
Well, I worked with John from 1997 to the day he went on sick leave. Can't express how great it is to see him return to Honeywell after all these years. He is truly a great guy.
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- Brian
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:02:38
Hey John; Great success story. Funny...it sounds so familiar. I can truly relate. Remember me? We sat together on dialysis. Can't say I miss it, since I won the organ lottery too, but I do miss our friendly conversation. I'm glad you are feeling good. Isn't it great to have our lives back. I thank God for every day. No longer sweating the small stuff...oh and hey...bet you miss the nurses. Happy trails my friend.
