06/05/2026
Hello, Good Morning what a great day to be alive. I would like to start off by thanking all my medical teams family and friends who have helped me through some tough times. I have a request that if you are taking the time to read my post that you would say a prayer for all donor families and the medical staff who looked after me. I have jotted down a few words describing my journey and am so happy to be able to tell how my journey to now has taken some turns. It is hard to imagine that this day five years ago I was waking up in St. Vincent's University Hospital after receiving the gift of life from a total stranger who I now think about every day and their wonderful family who either carried out their wishes or made the very hard decision to give the gift of life while going through one of the worst day's of their lives. I received the gift of a liver which has allowed me to carry on. One of the worst day's of my life was being told that I had 3 tumors in my Liver which I developed from my chronic disease (Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing a range of symptoms and complications, and currently has no cure) I was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 16 or 17 and have lived with the condition ever since (Now going on 65) with the help of great doctors and nursing staff in Tullamore Midland Regional Hospital, St. Vincent's University Hospital and St. James's Hospital. but back to 5th of May 2021 I received a phone call early on the morning of the 5th of May asking if I could get to St. Vincent's ASAP that they had a possible match for my transplant well I said yes but no need to tell you I was filled with excitement and apprehension as after under going chemo and not really thinking about Transplant the day had arrived. My first reaction was to ring my older brother and his wife who supported me during my chemo. On reflection I was so lucky as my first chemo was on the first day of lockdown but as I was now in the system my treatment went ahead which meant during the following time between Chemo and Transplant I was allowed to travel for my treatments during those terrible day's of restrictions. On arrival to St. Vincent's I was rushed up to the National Transplant Unit where I had to go through some tests (making sure I was Covid free) and bloods were ok and I was a match and stood the best chance of having a successful Transplant. I was wheeled down to the theatre and my brother accompanied me to the doors. So on the 5th of May 2026 I was starting my Transplant journey in earnest going into theatre I remember being very calm and excited but feeling very safe in the expert care of the medical staff. I was full of confidence that everything would go well and I would wake up the next morning having had a successful operation which was a lengthy one but with my mam, dad, brother and donor looking over me and talented medical staff what could go wrong. I woke the next morning or was woken can't quite remember the details of that but I had a wonderful team pandering to my every need. they got got me up out of bed which i recall being difficult and with a lot of support I walked to the door. every day after that saw great progress their were a few setbacks but with the help and dedication of the team around me they managed to get me fighting fit in no time and discharged me after 13 day's. I was determined to be be back to normal ASAP and reached all my goals. I had great family and friends supporting me all through my journey who offered their patience and prayers all through my journey. It is with eternal gratitude I ask you all that are still reading to remember my Donor and their family if you have a minute in your day and also for all the medical staff who gotten me this far.
Thank You
Ger
