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.