Tom's Kidney Crusade

01/23/2026

"Living with gratitude and a new kidney "

God Bless the USA

01/22/2026

It's 14 weeks post transplant. And yes I do get exhausted on these walks.

Calm before the ice storm!

12/31/2025

Last follow up for the year

12/31/2025

Last follow up for 2025!

12/12/2025

8 WEEK UPDATE

Working hard at my physical therapy and going out walking. Already completed a 3/4 mile walk this morning in the 30 degree temps then, after a brief rest, completed my exercises.

Later this morning I go for a sonogram of my dialysis fistula for evaluation. They continue to do that for a year after transplant in case this kidney gets rejected and if I need to go back on dialysis. I got news for you.....Mr Bean said that ain't happening.

12/02/2025

12/02/2025

7 WEEKS POST TRANSPLANT

Longest walk to date. 1.1 miles at a pace of 21 minutes/mile. Got my heart rate up to 117 with a good recovery.

Going to ask doctor during Thursday follow up appointment if I can start on stationary bike and elliptical and a projected date to start some light weights.

Per the band Chicago, "Feeling Stronger Everyday!"

11/25/2025

THIS POST ISN'T ABOUT ME

Today I want to recognize the dedicated and hard working medical professionals who have tended to me over the last 2+ years.

Through my 9 hospitalizations totaling ~ 70 days I have a newfound appreciation for these people.

Be they cardiologists, nephrologists, surgeons, nurses, social workers, dietitians, endocrinologists, or technicians, they work long hours to help their patients get better. Part of their heartfelt pay is seeing their patients health improve and enjoy seeing the ones they are caring for roll out of the hospital in a wheelchair upon discharge.

Never once did I experience anything contrary to this, coming from a patient who many times wasn't all that patient!

I especially want to recognize those in the dialysis industry. In center, they hustle as early as 5 am getting patients on the machines and then, 3 or 4 hours later, taking them off when their treatment is over. One of these people is Emily Seiter who I met at my first dialysis center and who I stop in to say hi when in the area.

I also want to give a shout out to our in-home dialysis nurses and techs (Devaney, Danielle, Lisa, Terina and Ann) who were very patient in training us to treat at home. At first it was overwhelming yet the way they conducted the training it all came together. They also were very respectful to how comfortable Diana Manees-Bradley was with each and every new procedure. This training allowed us to treat at home where it was much more comfortable and on our own schedule. YOU LADIES WORKED TO KEEP ME ALIVE!

I encourage everyone the next time you have a medical appointment or hospitalization, to take a moment to recognize those tending to you and let them know how much you appreciate them and their choice of profession.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

11/24/2025

So incredibly grateful to the folks at Dawson Barber Shop.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KmLmvQNv1/

11/22/2025

It'll be 6 weeks post transplant on Monday. Just completed a great walk in the neighborhood with a few steep inclines on this beautiful day. My spare parts work really well. Living and loving life!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. If you are traveling be safe.

11/17/2025

PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER

While joyful for receipt of my kidney 5 weeks ago today, let’s not forget someone lost their life here on earth in order that I receive this gift of life.
Please take a minute and join me in prayer for the repose of the soul of the deceased donor and for their grieving family.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen”
Thank you

11/13/2025

Someone identified themselves as wanting to donate their organs or the family of the deceased decided to donate their loved one's organs which benefited me and gave me life. Praying for this family, whoever they are, in their time of grief and will take care of it to honor that individual

Boy’s organ donation to save 300 lives after tragically suffering brain aneurysm on Halloween>> https://www.wtvm.com/2025/11/08/boys-organ-donation-save-300-lives-after-tragically-suffering-brain-aneurysm-halloween/