by Scott Oliver

Created on: July 20, 2008

I have had six open heart surgeries. In order, a heart transplant, doubble by-pass, single by-pass, heart transplant, a window was cut in the bag the heart sits in and finaly, one to compleatly remove the sack twenty one days later. As you can see, I would have quite a story to tell some day about how this all came to pass.

I have had more second chances at life then any one I know. Dispite all this I have always been able to pick my self up and keep going. I went back to work every time, as soon as the doctor said it was all right to do so. Now though I can only work part time, because the scar tissue has bilt up in my chest and I can't breath as well any more. The very best peace of advice I ever recived was while I was recovering was; If it herts don't do it, just try agin later till you get done. This is what I did till I could get back to work.

This ment getting my fingers to work right as well. I did sewing, painting and drawing or as I call it doodling. I learned how to do embrodering and paint bottles for fun and proffet. Plus it kept me from going nuts with soaps in the aftrenoon, I made that mistake with General Hosptal. For any one out there recovering,remember this, don't get lazy find a hobby or a group a do things. DON'T just set there wating for the OTHER shoe to fall. If you do, it will. So go do enything but go do it.

The medical technolagy it has taken to keep me alive is amazing! The heart lung machine, the micro surgery, the traning the doctors and staff recived before I even got there. I recived my first transplant when I was just thirty four in 1989. I recived this heart two weeks after the towers fell in 2001. When you think that more people die watting for a transplant then recive one and Iv'e been blessed to recive two hearts it blows my mind. Because of them, I have been there for the birth of two more children.(That's what I get for reciving a heart from a ninteen year old.) I have also been able to be there for my grand kids, all six of them and be part of there lives.

The donation fo orgens and other tissues play such a big part of people beeing able to get back to living a, some what normal life again. The skin graff for a burn victom, the eyes for the caderack sufferer, the heart and kiddneys that save lives every day. The life you save may be some one you know and love. Even if you don't know them at all you may be able to save a little childs mom or dad form dieing, or give them the ability to see their kids playing in the yard, watch ther first steeps as a baby. You mite give them the chance to walk their little girl down the isle. All these things YOU can make happen. All you have to do is talk to your family, lit them kmow that this IS what YOU want to do. Then getyour driver licenes marked to show every one your wishes to donate.

Some day I wil be able to put my story to paper. For now just remember, you could not have a choice at all.

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