Life Expectancy, Quality of Life, Are More Than Restored for Transplant Recipients
NEW ORLEANS - Although over 110,000 Americans are on an organ transplant waiting list, a second chance at life is only one phone call away and, for a Slidell resident, that life-saving call came sooner than he expected. Since his double transplant at Ochsner Medical Center on March 28, 2008, Nic Whitacre has decided that there is a reason he's still alive - and he's not going to let the history of his health stand in the way of his future.
"When I was lying in the recovery room after my transplant, I thought to myself, what can I do if I'm given the opportunity to live?" said Whitacre. "Then and there, I just knew that becoming a nurse would be my way to give back to patients just like me. I hope my experience will allow me to bring a new level of empathy to my patients," he adds. Following his pancreas and kidney transplant, Whitacre, 47, enrolled in Delgado Community College to prepare for nursing school, and he will begin the Charity Nursing Program in January 2010.
Following 18 months of nursing school, Whitacre will finally reach his goal of becoming a registered nurse. "My goal is to work in a transplant step-down unit and eventually on a surgery team. My health has been fully restored and this is the least I can do," said Whitacre.
But, becoming a nurse isn't his only goal. In August of 2010, Whitacre will run in his young donor's honor in the 2010 Transplant Olympics in Madison, Wisconsin. Before Whitacre's transplant, he was diagnosed at a very young age with diabetes. Vision loss, gastroparesis, nerve damage and kidney failure are just a few of the complications he experienced - all of which hindered his physical fitness. After 33 years, Whitacre is no longer a diabetic and his kidneys are functioning normally. And, his new health, along with months of training, will take him across the 5K finish line next August.
"I'm going to compete and in order to beat the previous record, I'll have to run about a six minute mile," said Whitacre. "I'm trying to encourage others to get active by updating others on my training progress via Twitter." Twitter, a newly developing online social network, is also a way for Whitacre to get the word out about becoming a registered organ donor. "Most people don't realize that you can take 10 seconds to change your license status online to become an organ donor - take the time, you may be able to save a life," he adds.
To register to become an organ donor, visit http://www.donatelife.net
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