Growing up, I always had a clear focus of what I thought would be my future.  I had often pondered what my life goals would be and I was certain I had the answers.  I would grow up, go to college, get a job, marry and have children; but as I look back, I realize just how far my life was/is from that certainty.  I served in the USMC, didn’t go to college until later in life: however, I did get married and had children.  After completing two degrees, one in anthropology and the second in sustainability, I thought my path ahead was clear.  Yet again, this clarity was put into question when I received news that I was in liver failure.  For that moment in time, I had the epiphany that there may not be any more life goals for me.

          Not realizing I was sick, nor understanding the complexity of liver disease, going through the process of being listed on the world donor registry was an emotional drain.  I had no idea what would happen but I did have an amazing support system, my family, my doctors, and the rest of my transplant team, I had people to talk to.  The ah-ha moment was when I realized that none of these people had experienced the processes and procedures of the transplant itself.  Everyone knew the right thing to say, and had all of the answers to my questions; yet, none could answer the fundamental question, “What is the process of being listed and having the transplant actually like.”  That is when I knew if I could survive the transplant, I could help others with actual knowledge.

 

 

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