The Shock and The Plan

Mike Tyson, certainly no poet, is credited with the popularization of the phrase, “Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth!”

I had a plan, but I also have a kidney disease, and it has punched me in the mouth.

For years and years, I have known that this day was coming, but I was confident that I had more time. More time to get things in order, more time for researchers to develop new techniques, and more time to prepare. I didn’t plan on facing decisions like this for another ten or fifteen years, and the shock of hearing those kidney function numbers for the first time really hit hard. Since that day, I have experienced (and at times still have) days when the shock doesn’t go away, but I realize that its time for a new plan.

I imagine that many of you are shocked as you hear this news for this first time, and believe me, I understand… “Didn’t I just see him the other day?.... he looked fine.” Yes, you did, and you can plan on seeing me tomorrow too. Things will just be according to a slightly different plan.

I plan on continuing to work.

I plan on continuing to play.

I plan on continuing to live.

Can you or someone that you know help me with my new plan? Please visit UAB’s kidney transplant site, https://uabmedicine.org/patient-care/treatments/kidney-transplant/donor-form or call Shelly at 205-475-9200. Please tell Shelly that “Worley says Hi!”