Wow

[jojokarak]

For me today is one whole heap of emotions. But for one very special family they will be grieving, I am as well I have been thinking a lot about you recently and if I could meet you I would thank you so much for giving me this extra year. I never thought one huge gesture could ever change my life so much, but it's changed in so many ways and I just hope I can make you proud to have done such a selfless act and you know it was all worthwhile. I will change things for both of us!! To Leeds and the whole team your amazing thanks for all you do. To loads of special people I have met along the journey your a bunch of stars I wouldn't of made the last 2 years without your support. And to my family , friends and Steven A Lomas I am sorry for what you all had to go through but thank you for sticking by me . I will celebrate today it's a milestone and one I am immensely grateful and proud off. To everyone who is on the donor register it's worth it Thank You xx 1 year wow ......

[sheri44]

hey 🙋 Jo. A year wow. It's a really strange day I remember my emotions were all over the place. I didn't know how to react at all. Happy times for us but a lot of thoughts with our donors families. When i got my letter they were happy i showed you didn't i ? Celebrate it hunny. It's what everyone would want. It's not been an easy ride for you so even more reason to celebrate. I lit a candle for my donor & my daughter made me a beautiful plaque with white & green feathers on it. Made me cry. Also i got a happy 1st birthday card too lol. Well Jo, go with your emotions as you can't fight them but i wanna wish you a very happy birthday ( were allowed like the queen to have 2 👑😊) enjoy your day. As to your family and what they saw & went through it wasn't your fault. They stuck by you coz they love you. So do we. Have a great day hunny. God bless our donors 🙏🏻 xxx ❤❤

[jojokarak in reply to sheri44]

Thanks Sherri xxx means a lot

[Gaynorlowson]

Lovely things to say X congratulations on your one year milestone 🙂

[LAJ123]

jojo,

Thanks for putting into words what many of us feel around the time of the anniversary of our transplant.

It was quite moving to meet the members of the Donor Family Network at the British Transplant Games. I've put a link at the end of this post.

Jim

donorfamilynetwork.co.uk/

[dizzime]

Well thats flown by, a year wow. I had a party for my first year with all my friends and family. Lets hope the future years get better every year and you grow stronger with them. As i have been swimming a lot lately i have entered my name for the transplant games next year. This is now my new goal which will keep me fit and healthy, hopefully. Eeeeeeek i will be swimming for with St James team i hope i can do well. Keep smiling Jo and be happy you deserve it. Xx 😁

[jojokarak in reply to dizzime]

Brilliant news I have a friend who competed in the games this year she loves it so you will most probably meet her next year xxx

[catrinamakes in reply to dizzime]

That is fantastic. You must keep us posted. Well done.

[mrsmerlin]

Hun I know this is going to sound very butt kissing or sickly or both but its what I feel in my heart.

Your donor, and the donors for others, helped more than just you. I'm not talking about their other organs either.

I have felt so supported by people on here and other forums by people who have gone down thus road ahead of me. I for one would be a blubbering mess if I didn't have you all to lean on for support and information.

So celebrate this day - it's important to more people than you think.

Rita xx

[jojokarak in reply to mrsmerlin]

Your too kind Mrs Merlin but thank you means a hell of a lot knowing I help just a tad like others have helped me through the good and bad times it makes a huge difference xxx

[Chelle_]

Wow is it really a year already!! I think you have done your donor proud! Lots of love xxx

[AyrshireK]

Can't believe thats a year passed already. All donors are heroes and I think it's an amazing gift they are able to give and their passing will never be forgotten as you say - their families may be greaving but they have an additional circle of friends who will always remember them each year on the anniversary.

Fingers crossed your recovery continues and you go on to have many more happy and healthy years.

Much love, Katie xx

[Ronin990]

Congrats, you are like a lot of people on here such a good example of how to be positive and never give up. You are doing your donor proud. Hope you continue to feel better.

[jojokarak in reply to Ronin990]

Thanks so much xx

[catrinamakes]

So pleased you feel like this and yes its been 6 years since i was ill , and dont need a transplant yet and still living with it ,but that is the point ,no matter how I feel ive been given a second chance and try and get something out of each day. I embrace your joy and you have made a difference to lots of people on this page, by your contribution. Enjoy your day and yes we are so grateful of people acts of kindness.

[GrittyReads]

Lovely post, so good of you to keep saying 'Thank you' as well as being a beacon for all the newbies, 'on-the-brinks' and 'on-the-lists'.

Enjoy your life and live it to the full: for yourself and family and also in honour of all those who made it possible.

[Helenatonge]

Aww Thats fab news it was my 10th year yesterday for my tranplant xx

[sheri44 in reply to Helenatonge]

congratulations to you too 😊 xx

[jojokarak in reply to Helenatonge]

Fabulous news xxx

[Helenatonge in reply to jojokarak]

I went for a scan yesterday and the nurse who was there was 25 years old shes goes QE and she had a liver tranplant when she was 7. it give us all hope xxx

[matt137]

How time flies. Well done Jojo xx

[vulnerable in reply to matt137]

You are so lucky to have come this far. Also so very appreciative of your diner. I am being 'worked up' for assessment and I pray that I will make it to transplant keep smiling xxxx

[jojokarak in reply to vulnerable]

You will make it x. I know it's hard to go through and the only bit of advice I could give is take one day at a time don't make plans I just went with the flow as I just didn't know he I was given to be, even now I am living my life the same way I just enjoy every single day xx good luck with your assessment

[19581979]

😀 big smiles all round. Thank you for you support as well. May you have many more special new life anniversaries. Health and happiness for many years to come.

And yes my thanks to everyone who gives so much when they have had a tragic loss and to those who have the skills to make the selfless act a miracle for others.

Gx

[Dorset123]

Hi Jo,

Have got my first anniversary on 21 October.

Can only agree with the mix of emotions you & others describe. Valuing every day with family and friends more than ever.

Keep well

[jojokarak in reply to Dorset123]

Wow congratulations to you also. And it was definitely a mix of emotions I ended up spending the day alone and was probably the best thing I did as I couldn't stop crying xx

[Ry101311]

I am happy to read things like this! My brother was diagnosed with end stage liver disease 6 months ago and was 2 weeks shy of his 6 months sober to get on a transplant list. With liver disease his blood got too thin and he ended up having a stroke, 5 days in icu and 2 weeks he lived. He had a second one and we lost him 3/11/18, hardest day of my life- he was a donor so we went with his wishes as he was in need of a liver transplant! Donated lungs and kidney! Glad you are doong well!!

[jojokarak in reply to Ry101311]

So sorry to hear about your brother x

His sacrifice and your generosity will have had a lasting effect on a lot of people, not just the ones who received him precious organs but family and friends that kind of karma has a ripple effect on life ...

I hope your feeling ok x

[Hidden]

Awesome post you are fabulous.

[Hidden]

Very genuine and beautiful! Well written Jojo ❤