Nine years ago tonight

Nine years ago today was a life changing day for me. Just about at this time I was getting my last kidney dialysis before going into surgery for my kidney/pancreas transplant. I was married to Shelley then who really did everything to get me ready for a transplant. My son, Jason who later would do a lot of the post-op nursing (changing stuff), tonight was actually playing in a big poker tournament WHICH HE WON. I went into surgery at about 11-PM and woke up the next morning with a new kidney and a new pancreas and no longer a diabetic. The story is on my website here: http://alanbestbuys.com/id92.html Since then life has been damn good. Sure it had ups and downs... a couple of errors in Vegas, like getting married for two weeks for example (LOL), and years of success with my TV advertising business and Infomercials. But most important, I will never NEVER forget the family that donated the organs of their loved one so that I and several others could have a second chance at life. And for that reason I will always respect others and respect life. Be an organ donor and if you can be a living donor.

Alan, we know how special this story is, how it relates to what's really important in life, and what memories it surely holds for you. But do you really think it has any meaning whatsoever to most of the slug gamblers and "ap" bsers here, who can't even show respect for their own lives most of the time? And guess how much a lowlife like mickey, who continually ignores personal hygiene and health by drinking and smoking (and as we can see, poor eating habits also) would appreciate what you've gone thru.

The world is better because you're still here. That's all that's important.

Congrats on the nine years, Alan. Everyone should be an organ donor.

Do you still take any immune suppression drugs, or is there an end point for that after a transplant?

I take the anti rejection drugs forever. There are a few rare cases where patients have stopped taking the drugs... but those are freaks of nature.

However, over the last nine years my dosages have been reduced.

What's also interesting is that the cost has come down. Even though I've always had insurance, nine years ago many of these drugs were not available as generics. Now ALL of the drugs I take are generics. My annual cost even with my insurance has dropped from about $1800 a year to under $300 a year.

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Originally Posted by Rob.Singer

Alan, we know how special this story is, how it relates to what's really important in life, and what memories it surely holds for you. But do you really think it has any meaning whatsoever to most of the slug gamblers and "ap" bsers here, who can't even show respect for their own lives most of the time? And guess how much a lowlife like mickey, who continually ignores personal hygiene and health by drinking and smoking (and as we can see, poor eating habits also) would appreciate what you've gone thru. The world is better because you're still here. That's all that's important.

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You are one fucked up dude, Rob. Totally reprehensible. Totally disgusting. You took a thread like this and turned it into a sewer because that's where you live, in the sewer, and you want everyone else to live in the sewer with you. There is no depth to your depravity.

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Originally Posted by mickeycrimm

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Originally Posted by Rob.Singer

Alan, we know how special this story is, how it relates to what's really important in life, and what memories it surely holds for you. But do you really think it has any meaning whatsoever to most of the slug gamblers and "ap" bsers here, who can't even show respect for their own lives most of the time? And guess how much a lowlife like mickey, who continually ignores personal hygiene and health by drinking and smoking (and as we can see, poor eating habits also) would appreciate what you've gone thru. The world is better because you're still here. That's all that's important.

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You are one fucked up dude, Rob. Totally reprehensible. Totally disgusting. You took a thread like this and turned it into a sewer because that's where you live, in the sewer, and you want everyone else to live in the sewer with you. There is no depth to your depravity.

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I second Mickey's thoughts. Rob's "AP hate rhetoric" and hateful bitter comments in general, are one thing in the gambling and AP threads. But to carry that hate and bitterness to a thread of this nature is just disgusting. It just shows what a complete asshole this clown Singer is and how foolish it is to engage him and feed this troll.

I for one was not familiar with Alan's past. As I said earlier, I am not familiar with Alan, his work or life. But I read through his "diary" of his recovery, from the link that he posted and found his story interesting and uplifting. Despite that my initial interactions with Alan have been less than positive, I congratulate him on his recovery and current good health and wish him nothing but continued good health. I was really moved at how grateful he continues to be for the family that made the decision that gave him a second chance at life. I mean yeah, of course anyone would be grateful. But Alan seems to never forget how fortunate he was and thinks of the family and person that lost his/her life daily, it would seem. Continued good health to you Alan.

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Originally Posted by mickeycrimm

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Originally Posted by Rob.Singer

Alan, we know how special this story is, how it relates to what's really important in life, and what memories it surely holds for you. But do you really think it has any meaning whatsoever to most of the slug gamblers and "ap" bsers here, who can't even show respect for their own lives most of the time? And guess how much a lowlife like mickey, who continually ignores personal hygiene and health by drinking and smoking (and as we can see, poor eating habits also) would appreciate what you've gone thru. The world is better because you're still here. That's all that's important.

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You are one fucked up dude, Rob. Totally reprehensible. Totally disgusting. You took a thread like this and turned it into a sewer because that's where you live, in the sewer, and you want everyone else to live in the sewer with you. There is no depth to your depravity.

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....says the guy who had no decent comment whatsoever about Alan's challenges and success....
Here's some helpful advice mickey. When someone posts about overcoming a serious health issue and other circumstances surrounding it, you focus on him first. Then if you want to whine and use vulgarity about another's comment, you do it without the drunken stupidity and language.

Too bad....an education past fifth grade would have helped.

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Originally Posted by kewlJ

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Originally Posted by mickeycrimm

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Originally Posted by Rob.Singer

Alan, we know how special this story is, how it relates to what's really important in life, and what memories it surely holds for you. But do you really think it has any meaning whatsoever to most of the slug gamblers and "ap" bsers here, who can't even show respect for their own lives most of the time? And guess how much a lowlife like mickey, who continually ignores personal hygiene and health by drinking and smoking (and as we can see, poor eating habits also) would appreciate what you've gone thru. The world is better because you're still here. That's all that's important.

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You are one fucked up dude, Rob. Totally reprehensible. Totally disgusting. You took a thread like this and turned it into a sewer because that's where you live, in the sewer, and you want everyone else to live in the sewer with you. There is no depth to your depravity.

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I second Mickey's thoughts. Rob's "AP hate rhetoric" and hateful bitter comments in general, are one thing in the gambling and AP threads. But to carry that hate and bitterness to a thread of this nature is just disgusting. It just shows what a complete asshole this clown Singer is and how foolish it is to engage him and feed this troll.

I for one was not familiar with Alan's past. As I said earlier, I am not familiar with Alan, his work or life. But I read through his "diary" of his recovery, from the link that he posted and found his story interesting and uplifting. Despite that my initial interactions with Alan have been less than positive, I congratulate him on his recovery and current good health and wish him nothing but continued good health. I was really moved at how grateful he continues to be for the family that made the decision that gave him a second chance at life. I mean yeah, of course anyone would be grateful. But Alan seems to never forget how fortunate he was and thinks of the family and person that lost his/her life daily, it would seem. Continued good health to you Alan.

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You'd cheer on mickey endlessly with your ferocious brute talk if it meant getting into his hairy smelly pants. And the only reason you're not so sweet on me is because you know my store's closed to fairies. Face it kew, you only cane here because the mensas and other freaks on WoW chased you away, and you were thinking you might strike up some relationships with all your phony ap blather and "I am able to count two tables no problem" bs.

Bzzzt....major error!

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Originally Posted by Rob.Singer

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Originally Posted by kewlJ

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Originally Posted by mickeycrimm

You are one fucked up dude, Rob. Totally reprehensible. Totally disgusting. You took a thread like this and turned it into a sewer because that's where you live, in the sewer, and you want everyone else to live in the sewer with you. There is no depth to your depravity.

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I second Mickey's thoughts. Rob's "AP hate rhetoric" and hateful bitter comments in general, are one thing in the gambling and AP threads. But to carry that hate and bitterness to a thread of this nature is just disgusting. It just shows what a complete asshole this clown Singer is and how foolish it is to engage him and feed this troll.

I for one was not familiar with Alan's past. As I said earlier, I am not familiar with Alan, his work or life. But I read through his "diary" of his recovery, from the link that he posted and found his story interesting and uplifting. Despite that my initial interactions with Alan have been less than positive, I congratulate him on his recovery and current good health and wish him nothing but continued good health. I was really moved at how grateful he continues to be for the family that made the decision that gave him a second chance at life. I mean yeah, of course anyone would be grateful. But Alan seems to never forget how fortunate he was and thinks of the family and person that lost his/her life daily, it would seem. Continued good health to you Alan.

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You'd cheer on mickey endlessly with your ferocious brute talk if it meant getting into his hairy smelly pants. And the only reason you're not so sweet on me is because you know my store's closed to fairies. Face it kew, you only cane here because the mensas and other freaks on WoW chased you away, and you were thinking you might strike up some relationships with all your phony ap blather and "I am able to count two tables no problem" bs.

Bzzzt....major error!

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Its bviously open to hairy female oxen, complete with whiskers and bad breath

I'm still wondering why Rob Stringer is allowed to post here...

deleted. I have moved my thoughts on RS's comment to a new thread, so as not to diminish Alan's thread.

A couple of notes. Yes, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the family and their daughter that they lost in a car accident that made my transplants possible. I think she was 16 when she was killed. I wonder what life she would have had and what her life would have been like today at 25? There is a phrase called survivor's guilt and I've got it.

I would have much rather had a relative or friend donate one of their two kidneys to me. I have one sister who is ill and couldn't. I have another sister who was afraid to because her own daughter was diabetic and she was concerned one day she'd have to give her a kidney. I have a brother who had every excuse in the world and used them (some valid) not to donate but I forgave him. As he pointed out, had he given me a kidney I would not have gotten a pancreas that would have cured my diabetes.

I did have a brother in law who was going through testing so he could donate, and my host at Caesars at the time (who was a blood type match) offered me a kidney. But the phone call came one morning that a kidney was available -- and that's what happened. As it turned out it was an amazingly close match. My doctor said I'd have to wait another 15 years to find a match that close.

I like to think that God gave everyone two kidneys so you can donate one. You only need one. Heck, I'm living with one working one now (my two birth kidneys are still inside me but not working.)

And what many people don't realize is that you only need 5% function of one kidney to live well and not even know you are in kidney failure. In fact, I knew for 15 years my kidneys were failing and for several years I lived with about 5% to 7% kidney function and I was a vegetarian for 15 years back then in an attempt to prolong my kidney function. So I suggest to everyone to have a medical check up and see how your kidneys are doing. Kidney failure is common, but if you have at least 5% function, you may not even know how sick you are.

One of the common signs of kidney failure is bubbles in your urine. There are others including swelling of feet and ankles. You don't have to be a diabetic to have kidney problems.

Now about the forum: I never expected that the Vegas/casino stuff would take off the way it did. I lost control because I had a free-speech philosophy which backfired. You need responsible people to have a free speech environment. And there have been too many irresponsible people here. Some are still here.

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

A couple of notes. Yes, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the family and their daughter that they lost in a car accident that made my transplants possible. I think she was 16 when she was killed. I wonder what life she would have had and what her life would have been like today at 25? There is a phrase called survivor's guilt and I've got it.

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You certainly have nothing to feel guilty about. But I suppose someone like me or other that have told you that, doesn't change the way you feel.

But there are ways to honor the donor. Since you have stated you are a man of some means, you could set up some sort of small scholarship fund in her name. Maybe related to an interest that she had that she didn't get to fulfill. Maybe at a school she was planning or hoping to attend. A partial scholarship would allow someone that might not otherwise be able to, to realize the dreams this young lady didn't get to. That would be an amazing way to honor and thank her and her family. :)

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

I like to think that God gave everyone two kidneys so you can donate one. You only need one.

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You have said this a couple times now. I can see where someone having gone through what you did, might feel this way, but I don't necessarily subscribe to this. I don't question god....I think he knew what he was doing. :) I think the kidney's are so important and yet fairly vulnerable, that god gave us a spare. The idea of sharing one, with a family member, while a very generous and loving gift, should be a fairly rare occurrence. A last resort type of thing. I don't think god intended for everyone to be giving away a kidney that they may need later in life.

There's nothing to feel guilty about, Alan. From what I can tell, it's normal (survival's guilt) and that's fine. As unfortunate as it is, at least she was able to help someone else. I'm sure you've heard this a million times -- but 1. it is what it is and 2. you didn't play a role in the girl's death.


Kind of an odd question (maybe?), but have you met her parents and/or reached out to them?

Alan, you are definitely a kidney transplant success story. Congratulations on walking around fairly healthy 9 years later.

Rob: I am getting tired of the trolling you are doing in every thread here. I don't mind if you want to insert an alternate or contrary opinion, but you have been doing nothing but derailing every thread with trolling and attacks. I think I will be adding a "ban from thread" feature on this forum, and I think you guys know who will be the main individual receiving such bans.

The donors and their families are kept anonymous. What I did was write a letter which was given to the transplant coordinator. Whether or not the family accepted the letter I don't know. Sometimes the families don't want to know who the recipients were. I have no idea who the donor was. I was only told a 16 year old girl and I'm not sure I should have been given even that much information. I think "young donor" would have been sufficient because some recipients might decline an "older donor."