Oh, and welcome to the Get to Life podcast, where we have conversations about organ tissue, iodine, and transplantation. You can always find us at thegiptidlife.org. I'm Ory Steel. I'm Sarah Blake-Marnd.
I'm Kelly Rowan. That does not sound like Joey. No, where's Joey? Kelly, feeling in.
We appreciate you. Joey's taking care of a beautiful little baby and he's going, he's a boy. He did. I have a baby, looks just like a mini Joey.
We love that. We love that you're sitting in today. Lots to get to on the podcast. What are we talking about?
We are going to talk to Nick Whittaker, who is a kidney recipient, and his donor story was just recently featured in Two Hearts. Ooh, I'm excited. Me too. I'm going to talk about some ways that we can live with people who have differences of opinions and how to get through that.
Oh, important lessons. All right. All that, thegiptidlife.org. Here we go.
Here on the Giptid Life podcast, we are honored to introduce our listeners to Mr. Nick Whittaker. Hey, Nick. Hello.
We are so grateful that you're taking the time to tell us your story and to inspire hearts across the world. So thank you so much. Now you are a recipient, correct? I am a recipient of a kidney append increase on March 28, 2008.
2008, and ever since then, it has been your mission to increase registries, to increase awareness about donation. And we know that a little bit about your hero, closely connected to Lopa. Kelly, we're hoping you can kind of get into that as we start to talk about Nick's story. But Nick, tell us about life pre-transplant and what was happening where you were.
I became a diabetic at age 13 and almost from the beginning of separate complications related to diabetes and what happens with that. I had neuropathy from the second week I had diabetes always to the transplant, which is a team in your nerves all over my body, not just in my fingers, my toes, but all over. I had high problems from retinopathy, which is where the blood vessels burst in your eye. So there's points in time I couldn't see, I've won or both of my eyes.
Imagine how that is as a diabetic having to test, drawing in those kind of things became a very interesting life when those events happened. And as I became an adult, I began to suffer some more severe complications. I developed a digestive problem that caused me to be able to take repetitively into I had to be hospitalized multiple times. One year I was hospitalized 39 times.
So I spent most of that year in the hospital dealing with issues from diabetes. It became much more severe in 2006. I would sleep and when I woke up, I was in a hospital and they were dialing from me from a temporary catheter out of my neck. My kidneys had failed and I began to go through the process of dialysis.
And that is a very hard way to live. You live from treatment to treatment and barely make it sometimes. It's almost impossible to keep in compliance with what happens with a physical part of your body. I had some problems with that because they could never find what they call permanent access.
I had 17 temporary catar's, two fistulas and several cortex tubes put into my body, all of them caught it off. So it came down to the point where my vascular surgeon said to me, we've run out of places to give you access. And so we're going to do an angiogram on you and we're going to find someplace in your body. I don't care where it's at.
The surgeon said we're going to find someplace. And I'm going to put the catar there and we're going to have another point about what she's from. So I go to have the angiogram done and I'm lying in a recovery in a flat position. My wife is in the room, Michelle.
And the surgeon walks in and she's been working together for several years and she was crying. And when that happened, I'm like, oh, this is not going to be good. And she told Michelle and me that I better start getting my stuff together. That was going to pass away soon because it's been funny.
And that was a political Michelle's face was when I'd seen countless times in our history together. Oh, my God, what's going to happen now? So they pulled Michelle out of the room. They go tell her all the details and I'm still laying flat for another excruciating color and 20 minutes until I can get up.
And then we drove home pretty much in silence, just kind of figure out grass around. Hey, you're getting ready to die. You have several months to live at best. And so I go into my house, I sit in the chair and I'm saying anything you want to do.
And I'm going to do it. I'm going to start going through all the paperwork, you know, internships, trust all the things that you do. And when that moment happened in your life. And I can hear Michelle in the floor, you're talking to my relatives.
I be one to see Nick or talking to you better do it quickly because this is what's going on. And my phone rings and I pick up the phone and it was Oscar Transment Union on the phone. They said, Mr. Whittaker, we haven't matched.
So on that day, I was told I was going to die. And I was told that I might be had a possibility of getting the trans man because we, when you go in for a trans man, two other people are also called in in in case you are not an exact match. So you go in and they pulled a huge amount of blood and then you wait. And that was a long night.
There's a lot of prayers calls and at five, three, that morning they rolled in with a attorney said it's you. Come on, it's your turn. So how long were you? This is Kelly.
How long were you on the list prior to receiving the kidney? That's a great question. It takes a year approximately to even get on to the list. They test every part of your body.
They even psychological test it. They check to see if you're complying in your medications, all those things are checked. But when I actually hit the list, I was on the list for three months. I got listed one day shortly after the angiogram and I'm blessed, the miracle.
All those things lucky. Whatever you say, I go, yes that happened. I think it's important for listeners to understand that when you don't have access, you can't be dialized, which means then that all of those toxins that your kidney normally filters and fluids that your kidney filters out of your body, that isn't happening for you, which is why things were so critical for you. Correct.
Correct. That is correct. And not only do you begin to feel bad, but your brain gets toxic as well. So you lose cognitive abilities to that process as well.
It's a very scary moment. So if this all started when you were 13, did we understand the donation process? Were we not even thinking about that? Do your families have conversations?
I had, you know, throughout my life, I'd had many conversations with my family and they were willing to donate if they were matched. I didn't even ask them to be matched. I was so brittle, hard to control as a diabetic that I didn't want them to donate a kidney and they still be diabetic and burned their kidney that they had donated or anybody else for that matter. I chose to hold out until it could be a kidney and pancreas transplant.
And that was a tough decision as well. And I thought I would not make it, but it was blessed and in a way that I had never been able to repay. So since the transplant, what's your life like from a diabetes perspective? So medications?
No, medications. I'm not diabetic any longer. When I woke up and saw urine flowing down the fully tube, I had to activate me right away and got up within an hour of that and began walking around the IT unit because my life had dramatically changed. It was an instant recognition of my body that things were different.
And your life change in a story like you hear that. There's the upbeat and the turn in 2008. And you never thought you'd be so happy as to go to the bathroom, right? Look, I often say in many of the press interviews I've done, if I can wake up in the morning and I can go pee, nothing matters.
That's a good day. Yeah. That's a good day. Oh, I love that.
And the reason that you're able to have this great spirit and to do these things that you never thought possible is because of a hero that you've gotten a chance to learn more about, right? Correct. Chris Gregory is my hero. He made a decision as a young man that changed five people's lives and effective to count others with the only shift to she and I.
I really think that that young man was a great young man. He was a solid young man, comes from a great family who I'm friends with, American Grace Gregory. And he was a conscientious lover of humanity and a fantastic guy. Yeah.
And we just learned about him because his family made a movie about his experience becoming a donor. Is that correct? That is correct. It is a movie based on a book that Eric wrote over a few years and all the recipients I believe except for one were able to contribute to that story.
And they decided to turn that into a movie which we hope will help people to get the idea of the registrar as an ordinary donor and become a someone else's hero. And Eric Gregory is Chris Gregory, your hero's father. And we've had one of the podcasts before and he's, you know, absolutely wants his mission to be saving as many lives as possible. And it's clear that he has.
Yeah, he's interested in preparing Chris's legacy as well. We all don't do that. And I want to help him with that as well. When you have a transplant and you begin to think about it afterwards, you wonder what can I do to deserve this and to honor the person.
And I promise Chris and Eric and Grace that I would do my best to join every moment of life in a pet 12 years of extra moments to do that. Tell us about when you met Eric and Grace. I had been doing some activities with Lobo and trying to raise awareness. And I had done a big event that I got a community college here in New Orleans and I came home and I was, you know, seeing their, when you're going through my email and there was an email from them, it took me about an hour and a half to open it.
And it talked about, you know, who Chris was. And this is when I went first, you know, my donor was at that point. They're kind of in the dark and they're not talking in the family. And that was several months in December of 2009 and then in August of that year, we, the next year, we met and we met in New Orleans.
And when you come to somebody, what do you say? I mean, how do you say, hey, thank you. I mean, thank you. It's not good enough.
So we all have each other and cried for maybe 20 minutes before you instead of work. Must have been an incredible experience. Yes, it is. You're incredible.
They were so gracious and kind and wanted to know how about us and our story and how did I get to that point and we talked for, you know, we said together that weekend, almost the whole weekend talking and talking about the things that Chris enjoyed and things that we enjoyed and their similarities and that all works into becoming the family with them. We're very, very close. Well, the movie is called. Yeah, the movie is called Two Hearts.
If you want to learn more about Chris Gregory, Sarah mentioned that we had Eric, Chris's dad on the gifted life podcast. That's episode 84. He hadn't listened to it for those that are tuning in today. There's also a book out there, All My Tomorrow's.
One of the things when we talked to Eric, he said he wanted to know exactly what was happening in your life, Nick, so that he could go back and say, what was I doing at that exact moment? So he mentions on that podcast that you were sent home that day, that you were told there were no more options, that your wife was to start planning a funeral. And then he kind of went back to say what was happening on our end. And I just thought that was so amazing.
That looks like that's one of the things that they took and transformed into the movie. So we've been hearing great things about it. What have you been hearing? Look, I've seen the reviews.
They're going very well. I think that it's done a great thing to put it into the general population in the movie format versus what us, they haven't been talking so that they can go and watch this happen before them. And then they can actually live those moments on the screen with the people that are there packing that part. And I think it's going to raise awareness and continue Chris Gregory's legacy of saving lives by helping people to understand that they need to register as an organ number.
We talk a lot about our donors leaving a living legacy. And I think the parallel between Eric's dad wanting to know what you were doing in those moments when they were making the hardest decisions of their life and how you were having one of the hardest days of your life. I think it's really powerful to know that Chris lived on through you and his story didn't end. I think that is a very powerful thing.
And I do my best to live up to that. It is a thing that I take very seriously to continue his legacy. I talk about it endlessly. Even in line at the grocery store where somebody always thinks, why are you always smiling?
When I say, well, because, and you go through a brief three minute version of the story so that they understand the power of registering, you just don't know what's going to happen. What are you going to say? And Nick, we can hear the joy when you talk about these moments. I love how you put that 12 years of extra moments like that perspective.
And so in those 12 years, what are some of the highlights for you? What are the things that you're able to do because of this hero? Well, first of all, I wake up every day. I mean, the lessons you learn from the moment of dying to the moment of a joint life is huge.
And I've been able to continue to work. I was on disability. I went to nursing school. I decided to move on with a nonprofit at that point into doing that and raise awareness that way.
I'm back in the workforce again. I get to live with my parents and my wife and my dog. And really, what I want to say to everybody is it's not these big things you do. It's every day of a little bit to become the most valuable things.
Enjoy the moment no matter what's going on because it might not be continuing. It might be the last moment. So I do my best no matter what it's having to find some way to enjoy the moment. And now you have a bonus family, additional family with the greataries?
Absolutely. I talked on a regular basis. I'm blessed to have a lot of that family. And it's, you know, and we talk specifically about how they're feeling and how I'm feeling regularly because, you know, I don't even to this day, I control years, exactly what to say, you know, at this point.
I'm just thinking about your wife, Michelle, and having to go through all of that and to where you guys are now should have her on to. Yes. The wife's perspective sitting at the table. I love it.
I love that you're so honest and open and wanting to share our goal is to make life happen, to get people thinking, talking about donation. If you had to leave people with a nugget about what donation does, what it is, what would you say? I would say that you don't know who you're going to say and you're the hero when you register and you may never become a donor. But when you register, you're stating, you're making a statement.
I'm willing to say why that makes you a hero. Now what that means, you could say the person that shares cancer, you could say the next president, you could say somebody's grandmother one day, somebody's child. You just don't know who that's going to be. The fact that you could say anybody is something that's a blessing to everyone.
So register the moment you're going to become someone's hero. Yeah. Nick, it was a pleasure. Thank you so much for sharing your story, for sharing a little bit of Chris and letting us know him a little bit better.
I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you. Here on the gifted life, we take a moment for mental health. So what are we talking about today, Sarah?
Okay, so we're talking about something I think is very important. And that's living with or being around people who have differences of opinions. Hold on, hold on, I got my pen and my paper. Okay.
Yes. So as we know, this has been a very trying year. It's an election year. We've had a global pandemic and there's been a lot of social unrest.
And what that's caused is a lot of uncomfortable conversations in the home, whether people are moving back in with their parents and having hard conversations about politics, social unrest, things like that. So just kind of wanted to talk about that and give some tips on how to re-prioritize our connection with our loved ones and have it not be so focused on our differences. Yeah. And what other thing in Louisiana, the storms and rebuilding and where you're going to get your next meal and shelters and all that fun stuff.
So yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And everybody has different opinions.
That's okay. It's okay to have our opinions. I think it's really important to discuss things, not like you're trying to change the other person's opinion, but understand where they're coming from and share your side. So we need to work on a little bit explaining ourselves in a way that's not geared towards changing someone's mind, but explaining who you are and why you think the way you think.
And to listen with that same thought process. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Listening to hear, not to respond. We always say that on the podcast. It's really important to understand what someone's saying so that we can empathize with them. So the first kind of tip I want to talk about is, guys, let's cut it back on social media.
Just unplug it. We laugh. You'll eat it. You'll get a lot of opinions on social media, which can cause discomfort between people.
You know, on Facebook, if someone posts something, you know, you know that person personally, but if they say something that's attacking, you feel it's attacking you and your beliefs. It can damage your relationship, right? So let's cut back a little bit on social media. Well, it's one thing to be behind a keyboard on your phone.
I think something and then another to say it. Like they would never. I don't think say to someone's face. So I see a lot.
So that worries me too. We have to cut back. And it's almost like they forget that you are a person and you're going to be like more. Yes.
Right. So yeah. And you know, we know that more social media is bad for mental health in general. It's also bad for your connections with people.
So just limit it as much as you can. The next one is let's not make assumptions about people who think differently than us. Don't make those grand generalize assumptions about someone just because of their political views or what they think about the global pandemic, what they think the best response is. Don't make assumptions based off one opinion for the rest of their ideas.
Yeah. I get that. Well, you know, I think we all know how it feels when someone does that to us. Right.
We want to make sure we're not doing that to others. Also, I think we've lost a little bit of the agree to disagree. Absolutely. Yeah.
Yeah. I see a lot in the conversations I personally have with my family. It's not it's no longer it goes back to saying, um, I'm listening to understand you. Let's listen to understand.
And sometimes it's okay to walk away. You're not going to change anybody's mind, you know, and I'm really healthy to recognize that. Maybe you can listen to learn to. Yes.
Absolutely. Agree to disagree. I think we've lost that a little bit. So let's get back to that and just know that when you are having these difficult conversations with your family, with your friends, that you still know who that person is and you still know who you are.
And I think the majority of people are good. I really do. And I think the majority of people want what's best for everyone. So just keep that in mind and reprioritize.
Make politics your number one priority when you're talking to your family. Make it be your connection with them. Make it be learning together and enjoying the conversation. I think we forget how to enjoy conversation and argument.
Arguments are a bad thing. It's okay to argue. Yeah. Calmly.
Facts. Yeah. A lot of times I'm just like, you know, it's just 2020. Well, look at this again tomorrow.
It's 2020, right? Yes. Poss it up. Yeah.
Not every conversation has to be a really deep, powerful political conversation. We can just still enjoy each other. And I think we're lucky in this field that we see the best that people have to offer every day that we talk to a donor family. Oh, yeah.
I like that. I like that. I like that. It's true.
You know, we see our families in the worst days of their lives making the most selfless decision. So it makes sense that, you know, all people, really, most people want what's best for everyone. I like that. I like that way that we're ending it.
Maybe you have a topic you'd like to share to cover, email us at info at thegiftedlife.org. In our question and answer segment, Lori's got a question for us. Yes. I saw something on TV about donation.
Seemed and likely. How do I find out if it's true or not? Kelly? Well, there's a lot of great resources out there.
I think the best resource for people about donation is organdonor.gov or unos.os.gov. And of course, there's always your local organ procurement agency, LOPA.org, and they'll give you all of the actual accurate facts about donation. I know that we are happy to hear from you. We'd like to discuss like, tell us what you're seeing.
Let's walk it through. The other thing that I have on my cell phone is the activate app. It's from Donate Life Hollywood. And so you can actually go to the app and say, I watch this, check this out, or they'll let you know like, you can check this out.
This is a true story. We think it's great. So it's really interactive and a good way to keep up to date on what's happening in the world of Hollywood when it comes to donations. So that's a cool way to go about it as well.
Great question. If you have any more questions, give us a call at 504-648-3477. In every episode of the Gifted Life, we honor a hero. Today, we honor Reese Gorman.
And we learned about him from his family. Reese was a sweet young man with a heart of gold who really knew how to make people laugh. He was happiest outdoors and everything it had to offer with his brother Jack, friends, or a fishing pole in his hand. His early start with music included a guitar and his ability to play stairway to heaven.
We never would have dreamed that he would have walked that stairway so soon. He was one of the biggest rays of happiness God gave this world. Reese's beautiful blue eyes, an amazing smile, hit everyone he talked to in love with who he was. His life was his legacy and through his donations he was able to continue his legacy with the four lives he saved.
He's loved and mistaily and we know he will continue to bless the world with his beautiful spirit. So let's take a moment and thank Reese for the gift of life. And that'll do it for episode 150 of the Gifted Life. Thanks for listening everyone.
And remember if you can register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor anytime, register me.org. We'd like to thank Nick Whitaker for sharing his story with us today. And if you're interested in all my tomorrows is a book you can find on Amazon or Barnes & Noble and the movie is Two Hearts and it'll be out as well. The best place to find us guys is at our website, thegiftedlife.org.
You can listen to any of our episodes there or wherever you listen to your podcasts, whether it's Google, Spotify, or our radio. If you listen on Apple Podcast, please subscribe and leave us a five star rating so others can find us on social check out Facebook, the Gifted Life podcast, on Twitter and Insta, we're at Gifted Life Pod. And thank you Miss Kelly, Miss Lopez CEO, for sitting in with the crew. Thanks for having me.
I'm putting up with all my fumbling. No, we like having here. We know that this is a passionate project for you so we appreciate it. Joey, we'll be back everybody.
Don't worry. Don't worry. Alright guys, we have an ask of you. Go out and do something you would normally do to help us make life happen.
We're a team. Until next time. This is a production of LOPA, our Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. The Gifted Life is hosted by Lori Steele, Joey Buudrow, and Sarah Blaymore, our executive producer is Kirsten Heins, producer ishilang Caraway.
Intern is Rebecca Rannam, and we are recorded, engineered and mixed in our Covington, Louisiana studio by Troy Perez.