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I need an out sometimes and so I created this blog.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Surgeon who carried out the first successfull kidney transplant

Nobel winner and organ transplant pioneer Joseph Murray dies at 93

Nobel Prize winner Joseph Murray
© Str New / Reuters
Nobel Prize winner Joseph Murray, 71, smiles after learning that he had received the honor for medicine along with another American, in this file picture taken on Oct. 8, 1990.
By
updated 11/27/2012 1:28:17 AM ET
(Reuters) - Dr. Joseph Murray, the surgeon who carried out the first successful kidney transplant and later won a Nobel Prize for his work in medicine and physiology, died on Monday in Boston at the age of 93.
Murray died after suffering a stroke last Thursday, Brigham and Women's Hospital spokesman Tom Langford said.
Murray and his team completed the first human organ transplant in 1954, taking a kidney from one identical twin and giving it to his twin brother, opening a new field in medicine, the hospital said.
"The world is a better place because of all Dr. Murray has given. His legacy will forever endure in our hearts and in every patient who has received the gift of life through transplantation," hospital president Dr. Elizabeth Nabel said in a statement.
Later in his career, Murray continued to search for ways of suppressing a patient's immune response to prevent it from rejecting foreign tissue, eventually becoming a co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1990.
"Difficulties are opportunities. This is a quote that sits atop my father's desk at home. It reflects the unwavering optimism of a great man who was generous, curious, and always humble," his son Rick said in a statement.
Murray began a career in medicine on graduating from Harvard Medical School in the 1940s, and developed an interest in transplanting tissue while working with service personnel injured in World War Two, according to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia.
He completed his surgical training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and later returned to join the staff and serve as chief of plastic surgery.
With broad interests beyond medicine, Murray said in a brief autobiography for the Nobel Prize organization that he and his extended family had been "blessed in our lives beyond my wildest dreams."
"My only wish would be to have 10 more lives to live on this planet. If that were possible, I'd spend one lifetime each in embryology, genetics, physics, astronomy and geology," he said.
"The other lifetimes would be as a pianist, backwoodsman, tennis player, or writer for the National Geographic."
More than 600,000 people worldwide have received transplants since Murray's innovation, the hospital said.
(Additional reporting by Tim Gaynor; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Goodbye Alison

I lost a very wonderful friend that I met through my blog. Alison was waitng for a kidney pancreas transplant. I am sorry I am just at a loss right now this is the first person I have known with reanal failure and to have lost and I don't understand it. I just know I want everyone to take a minute and just think about Alison. I know she is in a better place and I know she isn't feeling anymore pain. I am one of MANY people who will miss her and I will never forget our friendship she kept me fighting right along with her.
http://yourlifemoments.ca/images/moments/2012/4/NUANN138671.jpg
HANN, Alison Jane - (1957-2012) - Alison passed away peacefully at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Saturday April 7, 2012 at the age of 54 years. Beloved wife of Frank Hann. Loving mother of Sara, Suzanne, Laura and Kennedy. Also survived by her mother Yvonne Langille. Predeceased by her father Bill Langille. Alison leaves a legacy of love, courage, hope and faith, she will be sadly missed. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday April 13th at Christ Anglican Church at 11 am. Donations to the Kidney Foundation in memory of Alison will be gratefully acknowledged by her family. Funeral arrangements entrusted to HILLSIDE FUNERAL SERVICES, 362 Airport Rd. Online condolences can be made at www.hillsidefuneral.ca 11219772

Saturday, April 14, 2012

April 13th-1 year anniversary

Well yesterday was my 1 year post transplant. Wow, I can't believe it's been a year...I have a lot of mixed emotions with this whole year, with the whole 3 years. We all went to A Different Point of View for dinner (Steven,Char,James,Lindsey,Jeff,Ryan, and me) It was good, Well Lindsey and James had the BEST DINNERS! Lins had snapper and James had Lamb and OMG I am not sure which one was better but it was between there meals. Mine tasted like pure salt lol but I don't salt my food so if you put salt on my food I notice,Char thought it was dry (she had what I had) Oh I didn't even say what I had lol I had the chiefs special risotto with lobster and cauliflower and halibut on top. It was also really rich but my sister being the WONDERFUL person she is switched me plates so I got to eat some of her snapper but she said she understood how I thought there was too much salt, she said it was not bad for her but a person who doesn't salt different story. Sas,Jeff and Ryan all had steak and potatoes...I got to try Sas's steak and HOT DAMN I should have tried it before he salted OMG. I think I know why I feel dehydrated today :). Char got a bottle of wine, not sure what kind but she said it was an Oregon Pino and it was really tasty not too dry and not sweet, I enjoyed it...but it did smell like urine HAHAHA. (I am trying Kim) I was really tired by the end of the night thought I don't stay up late and when I do I am usually laying on the couch talking to Char. I will talk more about what I am feeling another time its just right now I don't know how to describe my thoughts and emotions, but I will.
Oh before I forget the kidney walk was great the family should up and I loved it! My cousin Paige and Andrea were both there which was fantastic and I was really happy they could both make it. Uncle Jim was there too, he was really busy lol my parents took us out to lunch on Saturday and it was yummy. I also got to finally meet Steve and Andre!!!! It was a good time.
Well I better go Andrea is getting married today, it's suppose to rain but I hear that is good luck for rain on your wedding day but the wedding is outside so if it rains after that would be fantastic. But no matter what this will be a wonderful day for Andrea and Carlos.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Steve - Update

Steve called me yesterday! I have been talking to Andre and she has been keeping me posted but it was GREAT to hear from him. He had a infection but the liver is WORKING!!!! It is happy were it is and that is all he can ask for and I totally agree with him. He sounds great and I am so happy he received his liver it is a BIG weight lifted of him and Andre shoulders and now they can pick up before he started getting bad. He feels like he has been punched in the belly but totally understandable. I hope everyone is doing good, I am tired but it's the weekend and I am going to just take it easy. Sleep tight!