Dad

Lona Mitchell * Lila Wallwork* Robert Mitchell

I am going to the hospital today to visit my dad.  He has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for the past 45 years.  He managed it well his whole life, but eventually his kidney gave out and he had to have a transplant.  Foreign organs usually last about 7 years.  That was almost 16 years ago.  According to Stanford Medical Center his transplant has lasted longer than any other in the world.  He not only received a new kidney but a pancreas as well.  God bless organ donors.

I so admire my dad for doing everything right to make his last as long as possible.  I remember all the times he ran around the block before work.  All the good food choices he made.  All those sit-ups.  I think the human body is a Miracle.  A medical marvel.  I am still trying to figure out how I managed to carry and birth 3 children.  


But today his transplanted kidney is not doing well.  It is tired.  I have faith that all will work out as it should.  I love my dad and I am excited to see him today.  I wouldn't be surprised if he made a complete recovery and walked out of the hospital today.  He's had so many ups and downs with his health.  I've seen it all.


Today will be a good day.  I will spend it with my Mother in The Riverside Kaiser Hospital.  It will be nice to be alone with her.......and him.  It will be good.