To my angel’s loved ones,
My name is Jaime. I am one of the fortunate people to have received one of your loved one’s organs. I will call him your loved one, as I do not know his name or any details of his or your lives.
First and foremost I want to give you my deep condolences for your loss, and let you know of my absolute and utmost gratitude from myself and my family’s behalf, because your loved one did not just change my life, he changed the lives of each and every one my family members as well. For that, we will be eternally grateful.
Your loved one did not just change my life, he changed the lives of each and every one my family members as well.
Your loved one did so much for me, so I would like to let you know a little bit about me and what a hero your loved one was. I am a 59 year old male and have been living in California for 40 years. I am a married man and father of 4 girls who was dying of cirrhosis. I could not fathom to leave my family behind, yet I felt the life being sucked out of me day by day from this awful disease that I would not wish upon my worst enemy. I can’t begin to describe the unfathomable life l was living, which was not a life at all. I lived like this for a year and 4 months, and although that year and 4 months may not seem like much, but to me it was a never-ending nightmare, a nightmare my angel pulled me out of.
I can’t begin to describe the unfathomable life l was living, which was not a life at all.
At the beginning I was very naive and didn’t realize the grave situation I had gotten myself into, but within a short time reality hit me in the face. I went from being a happy family man running multiple small businesses to not even being able to go to the bathroom on my own. I had to rely on my wife and four girls, which was devastating especially because I already had and still have a daughter who has End Stage Renal Disease (Kidney Failure), and has been waiting for her own organ transplant herself for six years; and now this, with nothing I could do. I couldn’t walk two steps without getting winded. I went from weighing 175lbs to up to 260lbs, I had to buy the biggest shoe size and still had to cut them in the middle to be able to split them wide enough for them to remotely fit me. My wardrobe went down to sweat pants and old T-Shirts, barely a wardrobe to say the least, but that was the least of my problems. At night I had to sleep sitting up, which I must admit there wasn’t much sleeping going on as it was very difficult for me to breathe. Not only did the fluid affect my breathing but it also affected simple comforts one takes for granted. I had so much fluid buildup in my legs and feet that there soon came a point where I couldn’t even walk anymore.
I went from being a happy family man running multiple small businesses to not even being able to go to the bathroom on my own.
Still, I pushed myself to go to every appointment, every class, every procedure, every anything no matter how bad I was feeling. I did it because in the back of my mind and deep within my heart I always had the hope that somehow there would be a miracle. At this point I was doing pretty bad; my mental state was off and I found myself losing track of time. My energy and strength levels were so low that my wife and older daughter had to wheel me around in a wheelchair to any type of appointment I had or any place I had to get to for that matter. I had to rely on them for basically everything, which I was not used to. It was definitely not a good feeling, but a life changing experience nonetheless.
in the back of my mind and deep within my heart I always had the hope that somehow there would be a miracle
I don’t want you to think that I tried to make this all about myself, I just wanted you to see the difference between then and now, and what your loved one did for me. So with tears in my eyes I would like to thank the angel that brought life back to me and gave me the opportunity to keep seeing my family. I wish I could at least see a picture of him or thank you all personally, but I know that that is kept confidential so I at least want to let you know that out of this painful tragedy, he has literally changed my life. I am now able to go back to work. To keep seeing my friends and family is priceless. I’ve grown a new appreciation for that and for life in general. I would like to thank you again, and I promise to take care of my liver, as it cost a life for mine to be saved and I will not take that for granted. This world would be a better place if more people were as compassionate as you and your loved one.
I promise to take care of my liver, as it cost a life for mine to be saved and I will not take that for granted.
I apologize that it took so long for this letter to reach you, as I had a very long and grueling road towards recovery. I wish you all the best, and again we will be eternally grateful and we will never forget you all and the selfless kind act that was made. You and your loved one will always be in our hearts.
Thank you,
Jaime & family