My kidney transplant came out perfectly well. I had an initial meeting with my surgeon, Dr. Enrique Ona. He explained to me the operation and recuperation. It was easy for me to understand his explanation that I felt comfortable with the proposed transplant procedure.

I was then referred to Dra. Romina Danguilan for further discussion and checkups. I passed all the checkups and the operation was set April 26, 2008. The actual transplant procedure went well. I did not feel anything because I was under general anesthesia so when I woke up, I felt good.

I feel like a new person, recuperating well and doing normal activities. No more three days a week dialysis. I did not suffer any difficulties from the day of the operation to my release after a week. With the continuous help from my doctors and the loving care of my wife, I will have a better life after my transplant operation.

Legally, there are two ways in securing a kidney. One is through a relative and two, through the kidney foundation. The reason why I did not like to write this essay is because I do not know how to explain these two ways in securing a donor without being emotional about it.

A relative as a donor probably may be less expensive initially but I do not know the long term effect in many aspects in the future. You will always be responsible, I guess, for anything that the relative donor will need for life. Out of my seven children and wife, one of my daughters is compatible with me and without hesitation, upon knowing that I need a transplant, she immediately volunteered. I turned it down because if I accepted her offer, I may never be at peace with my life as long as I live.

Second, securing a donor from the foundation also is not a guarantee that you can get one immediately. Matching process and the waiting list is quite long. Matching you is sometimes tricky because they really have to look for a match. The cost that the foundation will request is also quite expensive. Having a kidney transplant needs a lot of preparation and funding your medicines after the post operation and continuously for some time, your medicine bill is enormous. Of course, the kidney transplant is life saving.