Here is Mischa, my partner, using Tierce as a puppy pillow.
Mischa has kidney failure and has been on dialysis for the last 5 years. Today he got the news that an anonymous donor of his blood type has been cleared to donate a kidney to him in a week. Much happiness ensued. Our Facebooks were inundated with well-wishes. My work immediately approved my request for emergency leave so I could be with him during the procedure. We went out to dinner at Amrikkos to celebrate.
During dinner, we were talking about the glorious future that was to be ours (if everything goes as hoped). Mischa mentioned being able to go back to work. He doesn’t work right now because while the dialysis keeps him alive, it doesn’t do the same job as a kidney would.
Sometimes he can barely make it out of bed and if he does, he spends the day sacked out on the couch. There’s not a lot that can describe the feeling accurately. Think of it like this: You’re going through your life, but day-to-day, you never know if tomorrow you’re going to feel okay or if you’re going to feel like you’ve just completed the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race, you haven’t slept in a week and now you have to get up and do an 8 hour workday.
It just doesn’t work.
One thing Mischa said during dinner stuck with me.
“You know, it’s easier to make it through the bad days if you just get up, but getting up is the problem. If it wasn’t for Tierce needing to go out, some days I just wouldn’t have gotten out of bed. But he needed to go out, so I got up, got dressed and took him out and after that, the day wasn’t as bad to get through.”
The best of luck to Mischa. I have worked in the dialysis industry for 16 years from a floor RN to a Director. I came into that specialty because I loved the patients and their courage to keep going even during their darkest hours. So best wishes to all of you and good luck.
I had no idea – congrats to you both, I hope all goes well. I’ll watch Facebook for updates.
And … having an animal fully, wholly dependent on you changes your life if you are a responsible, good person. Good for Mischa that no matter had horrible he feels, he does the right thing.
Will think positive thoughts for both of you. Hope everything goes well for Mischa.
And yes, our dogs help us make it through life.
Tierce- Greetings from Sukoshi and Hoshi!
Mischa and Family,
Our hopes and prayers are with you through these times and pray for you to have a speedy recovery…… Take Care!!!!!!!
Dennis and Tonka
What a stroke of luck – donors are so rare, and an anonymous one too. Kudos to that wonderful person!
I have two family members who have had kidney transplants (from other family members) because of an inheritable kidney disease. The new kidneys have made all the difference in the world to both of them, and they’ve each been doing well for several years now. So best wishes to Mischa for a successful surgery! It’ll be worth it.
I wish more people would consider kidney donation. It is now a relatively routine keyhole surgery with only a short hospital stay and little to no long-term effect for the donor. Most of us are lucky enough to have been given this spare body part that we can succesfully do without. For the donor, too, it’s worth it.
Good luck Mischa! My Shiba mix Bandit and I wish you the best.
best of luck to Mischa!
I’m glad Tierce has been a support to him 🙂 How special.
Such fantastic n
Best of luck for upcoming surgery to Mischa. Tierce came into your life for a reason 🙂 You are one of the reasons I have two Shibas, so that must be for a reason
Good luck with the surgery! And actually, alot of doctors will recommend patients with illnesses that can be so difficult on the mind/heart/soul to get a dog or cat if they can handle it physically. Having the little critters gives them something outside of themselves to focus on, get up and get ready for…and I've seen this do wonders for so many p
Such fantastic news!!!
Best of luck for upcoming surgery to Mischa. Tierce came into your life for a reason 🙂 You are one of the reasons I have two Shibas, so that must be for a reason too.
Good luck with the surgery! And actually, alot of doctors will recommend patients with illnesses that can be so difficult on the mind/heart/soul to get a dog or cat if they can handle it physically. Having the little critters gives them something outside of themselves to focus on, get up and get ready for…and I've seen this do wonders for so many people.
We will keep your family in our thoughts for a quick and speedy recovery from the procedure. My aunt also had to go through dialysis for a long time. A few years ago, she got her kidney and she has been up and doing everything. I hope everything works out for you too. It’s a new beginning!
What Mischa said is very heartwarming. That shiba needing to go out is that little push you need to start the not so bad day. He also probably knows that, that is why they are there.. to help you through.