Wednesday, February 17, 2010
I know I promised last week that I would share a little bit about my adventure at the Super Bowl Parade in New Orleans. It was truly incredible, but something has come up. Valentine’s Day has just passed us, and with it a contest at CKXS. We asked listeners to send in their stories about their sweetheart, and what made them special. What we got over the past week into our studios, on the air, in our emails, and sent in the mail was astonishing. So Football fans, pause that Super Bowl Parade story, and let me get romantic with you for a week. Here is my favourite story from last week. ENJOY. My name is Pat Davis and I would like to share with you my Valentine story. My work and community life as afforded me some recognition over the years, but what few know is the real story of my life is actually my wife Donna's story. Her love, courage and unbelievable strength is a story far more noteworthy than anything I have ever done. I was first diagnosed with kidney disease when I was six years old. Over the next 45 years I was hospitalized more than 100 times, had 22 major surgical procedures, spent 20 years on dialysis and endured the pain and anguish of three failed kidney transplants, all acute - after which I was told I could never have another transplant, and I would be doomed to a life dependent on daily dialysis treatments. There were sustained periods in my life when I could not work, and at no time could I travel and family vacations were near impossible. Donna and I went to bed every night knowing that every moment, activity and decision we would make was subject to my treatments. No one, not even me knows, or could hope to understand the pain, the fear and the sacrifices endured by Donna and our daughter Lisa. I was it seemed an irreparably broken husband and father. However, by 2006 I had had enough. Every year I was losing ground and I felt my life was ebbing away, physically, emotionally and mentally. I had far-exceeded the average mortality rate for dialysis patients but I knew that couldn't go on much longer. Perhaps I was being selfish. I had a beautiful, loving and supportive family and professionally I was doing the job I was born to do and loving it. But I was tired, tired of being sick and tired of losing to my disease. I believed that I had fought the good fight. And so I had started to think about losing on my terms. That meant stopping dialysis and letting nature take its course. I talked to my doctors and nurses and was surprised to learn it wasn't all that uncommon for people in my situation. I spoke to my pastor about it who understood but my incredible wife did not. She would not accept defeat and she refused to let me accept it either. Donna and I have been married for over 35 years now. We started dating in grade 10 when I first caught sight of her across a crowded classroom in high heals and black hot pants with legs that just wouldn't quit. We were married when we were 18 and I always kidded her that I married her for her body, lol. Actually, that turned out to be prophetic. Donna has never wanted fame or fortune, or a big fancy house. She enjoys the simple things of life and her greatest satisfaction comes from giving to others. All she ever wanted out of life was to simply grow old with me. It doesn't seem like a lot to expect, except for the fact she was saddled with a chronically sick husband and she woke up every morning not knowing if it would be our last together. It was Donna who first raised the idea of trying living related donation. We had heard of some exciting new developments in this field but having a fourth transplant and from a living non biologically -related donor was pretty much unheard of. Despite the odds, Donna was undeterred. Having never been really sick a day in her life, she wanted to give me one of her kidneys. Scripture says that there is no greater love than one who would lay down their life for another. But that is exactly what the love of my life did for me. Jut over two years ago we were wheeled into adjoining operating rooms. Donna's kidney was taken from her body and immediately placed in mine where it has been working and giving me life, and for both of us, love, hope and happiness ever since. Throughout our iives together her love, courage and steadfastness never wavered. I believe her love story is one for the ages. There are no words which could possibly express the love that I have for my wife. So I guess I will spend the rest of my days doing what I can to give her what she has always wanted - growing old together. Thank you for allowing me to share our story.