Organ Transplants

Created by Daniel LaRocca

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        This web is to inform all of those that visit this site of the awareness of organ and tissue transplantation. I  myself  am a Kidney transplant recipient. It all started out in the fall of 1983, I became very ill (high fever, hallucinating). After seeing numerous doctors,  I was soon diagnose with  Systemic Lupus Erthematosus (Lupus Foundation). Lupus (for short)  is an Auto Immune disease, which means, one's own Immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The disease also if not controlled can result in damage to vital organs, such as the kidneys, brain, heart and lungs. In my case my kidneys were the target. Having being treated for many years with numerous medication my kidneys began to fail rapidly, the disease took its toll on them. On December 23, 1995 I was put on a dialysis machine to help rid  my body from poisons. Having dialysis treatments 3x a week for 2 1/2 hours a day was no bargain, but it kept me alive, while I was put on a national donors list, to find a kidney. In June of 1996 I was called because LifeLink  had found a match. That very same day  I checked into Tampa General Hospital and the surgery was performed. 

    Two days after the surgery, the kidney was not functioning correctly (my body was not rejecting it) and I was told that it needed to be taken out. I was immediately  put back on dialysis and the National Donors list. Four months went by and on October 23, 1996, another kidney was found and the surgery was performed. The kidney came from a 13 year old boy from California. All went well with the surgery and after a week in the hospital I was released. It is seven years later and  I am feeling great, just need to take anti-rejection medication, and have a  check up at LifeLink every three months. It is organizations like Lifelink why I'm here today, and being able to share my story with you all and to raise awareness for Organ donation. Thank you for visiting my web site!!