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An open letter to my organ donor

I wanted to write this letter and share my story with you, not only to share my deepest heartfelt emotion, but also so that you know and believe that your loved one did not lose her life in vain. She literally gave life, not just to me, but potentially to many other organ recipients. The true greatness and selflessness of organ donation is just that: it is the Donation of Life.

I have attempted to write this letter unsuccessfully several times over the course of the past years. Rarely, can I even get past the first few sentences before becoming overwhelmed by my own emotions. Every time, the words I write just never seem to accurately express my appreciation and gratitude. I realize that words themselves will never be enough to express how grateful I am to my donor and how truly thankful I am, really, to your entire family. I hope that as you receive this letter, that you, your loved ones and friends, are well. I hope you are healing from the loss you suffered. I am sympathetically aware that you have suffered the passing of a wonderful and thoughtful woman.

As you read this letter, I know that you are someone who called her ‘Mother’ or ‘Daughter,’ ‘Wife’ or ‘Sister,’ ‘Cousin’ or ‘Friend.’ Of course, I do not know her given name, but to me, and to my friends and family, she is a Hero.

On August 15th 2013, I received a bilateral lung transplant. I have affectionately nicknamed my new lungs “Eloise.” The successful transplant of these lungs, donated by your loved one, has given me a second chance at life. It’s important to me that you know that I don’t think of them simply as lungs or an organ, but rather as their own entity. I respect and love them as if they themselves are human. I believe that the woman who donated these lungs, my new lungs, also donated several of her other organs. I can only begin to imagine what opportunity and potential greatness will come from the second chances that she now has provided, not just to me, but to the other recipients of her generosity. I hope that you believe, as I do, that your loved one continues to live on inside me. Her legacy will not be limited to her physical time here on earth. She lives on in me, my wife and children, my family, and the generations that will follow. Moments, now and in the future, that I share with family and friends are only possible because of her. Every time my children laugh, or my wife smiles, I think about ‘Eloise.’ I feel her greatness. Not a day goes by that I don’t reflect on how fortunate I am to have her with me.

I will share with you a little bit about me, just for your reference or if you are at all curious. I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, diagnosed at the age of one. Despite the diagnosis, I lived an exceptionally healthy life for 38 years. At 38, I was in love, had two beautiful children and a thriving dental specialty practice. I exercised five days a week. I spent my life caring for my family and patients. Honestly, I spent very little time thinking or worrying about the insidious disease that was festering inside me. Two years ago, I was befallen by pneumonia, resulting in a collapsed lung. Despite aggressive treatment at the Gunnar Esiason Adult CF center at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital my lungs never improved or recovered. Life quickly became a struggle. I became oxygen dependent. Even the most menial activities of daily living become incredibly difficult. For all intents and purposes, life as I knew it was slipping away.

Fortunately, on August 15th 2013 I received the Gift of Life; a double lung transplant. Through the most challenging time of my life I was, and continue to be, surrounded by a world class medical team at Columbia and the wonderful, unwavering support of family, friends, patients and colleagues. My recovery is going beautifully, and I am getting stronger every day. I returned to work full time and live a “normal”, fulfilling and happy life. Life as I now know it is magical. Amazing things are happening at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and I am living proof. The Columbia Lung Transplant Program is the best there is. Their team is second to none with regards to every facet of lung transplantation.

I hope that you are able to find peace in the knowledge that your loved one lives on in me, my children and my extended family. Her legacy is eternal. I will forever feel her greatness. Not a day will go by that I don’t reflect on how fortunate I am to have her with me. May god bless you and your family and may you forever know that I will never forget what my donor and her extended family have done for me. Dr. Gregory Coakley – Transplanted August 15, 2013

3 replies added

  1. Robert Scordato January 20, 2016 Reply

    Hello Gregory,

    I read your open letter that you wrote regarding your transplate. My wife sent me the letter to read from her former friend back in high school in Holmdel New Jersey which is your brother Christen Coakley..
    I wanted to let you know that I apprecate your letter so much cause I have exsperience many of the same things and feeling. I have had two kidney transplants
    Within the last 14 years that has been a battle in it self as you are well aware. So many things change when you go thru this life changing exsperience. I pray that you stay strong and healthy and that God Guide you. Hopefully I will be able to wright my letters to both of my donors families an exspress my words and feelings. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your courage, sentiment and pray blessing over you all guys.

    • Greg January 29, 2016 Reply

      Robert,
      Thank you for your kind words and support. It sounds as though we have had many similar life experiences. Continue to stay positive. Smile, live, love and laugh every day. I am certain that you feel blessed for the gifts that you have been given.
      Warm Regards
      Greg

  2. Pingback: Little Silver Doctor Thanks the Person who Saved his Life

    […] To read Dr. Coakley’s heartfelt letter on how an organ doner saved his life, and the tear-jerker thanks he gives to the family of the person that saved him, CLICK HERE. […]

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Your immune system recognizes and attacks anything different from the substances normally present in your body, even those only slightly different, like your newly transplanted kidney. The immune system does not discriminate between harmful substances, like bacteria, fungi and viruses, and transplanted organs — so your immune system responds to your new kidney as a foreign substance that needs to be eliminated.

To protect your new kidney, we prescribe a variety of medications to suppress your body’s natural immune response. These medications are called “immunosuppressants,” and they trick the immune system into believing that your new organ is not foreign, and thus it is not attacked. After transplantation, you will be taking immunosuppressant medications for the rest of your life.

The key to maintaining a successful transplant for the rest of your life is taking the immunosuppressant medications prescribed to you. Initially it may seem a little overwhelming, but in time you will become very comfortable with the routine. It is important to take your medications as you are instructed. We want you to become responsible for taking your own medications. We also encourage children to be involved in taking their own medications.

Because you are responsible for taking your own medications, talk with your physician, pharmacist, or nurse until you fully understand:

  • When to take each medication
  • Name and purpose of each medication
  • How to take each medication
  • How long to continue taking each medication
  • Principal side effects of each medication
  • What to do if you forget to take a dose
  • How and when to order more medicine so you won’t run out

Guidelines for Taking Medications

  • Always take your medications at the same time every day.
  • Never skip a dose. If you accidentally miss a dose, call the transplant team.
  • Do not stop taking or change the dose of any medication without prior knowledge and approval of the transplant team.
  • Call your transplant team if you are experiencing side effects from your medications, or are having vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Never take medications other than those prescribed by your transplant team, including over-the-counter medications or those prescribed by other physicians without first calling the transplant team.
  • Store your medications out of reach of small children.
  • Store medications in a cool, dry place.

REMEMBER THAT NOT TAKING MEDICATIONS AS PRESCRIBED IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR TRANSPLANT FAILURE. Therefore, be very careful when taking medications. Call your transplant team with any questions or concerns no matter how small they may seem. Some of your immunosuppressive medicines are dosed by the levels of the drug in your blood. That is why it is important to have your blood tested at the correct time.