I am so damn proud of my BFF Bill Xxxxx today? He underwent successful surgery to donate one of his kidneys today to one of our brothers from the Citadel Class of 1988.
Rob Ssssss has been suffering from an autoimmune disease for over two years and his kidneys are barely functioning. He has spent over a year in isolation undergoing dialysis and other treatments and trying hard not to get COVID. Last year he posted some information regarding his condition and updated the class on his search for a donor. He had hoped his brother or daughter would be a match but later learned they were not the best option. Because we are all part of The Citadel Class of 1988, Bill knew Rob, but not that well. They were in different battalions and classes while in school so they knew each other but not close since their paths have not crossed that much during the years in Charleston or the years after.
I have been witness to one of the most selfless acts one person could do for another, when after reading Rob’s posts, Bill said “hear I am Lord, I can give one of my kidneys” Over the past few months I have learned giving up a kidney is not an easy thing to do. Besides giving up one of your two functioning kidneys, there are countless tests, surveys, and doctors appointments to make sure the donor is a match. At few months ago a roadblock came up when the docs told Bill he was not an acceptable match due to carrying a few extra pounds and having high blood pressure. Bill didn’t take this rejection lightly, he enrolled in a fitness plan and a few weeks ago he showed back up more than forty pounds lighter and in better health than he has seen in many years. The doctors declared him a match and started scheduling the transplant.
The simultaneous surgeries to remove Bill’s kidney and place it into Rob occurred early this morning. I got word from Alice that Bill is doing well. Recovery from donating a kidney is not something anyone looks forward to, but I am sure Bill’s positive attitude will bring him through better than most.
I know he would appreciate your prayers for a quick and uneventful recovery; as well as for Rob’s new kidney to function successfully and give him a second chance at a normal life.
Many of you will either like this post or comment, and I am sure he will read them when the anesthesia wears off. However, please send him a personal note via messenger in the days ahead or even mail him a card/note to yyyyyyyyyyyyyy
“Give me a boy, Oh God, who is willing to learn the true value of honor, the necessity of perseverance and loyalty, and the meaningfulness of devotion to God and country.
And I shall take this boy as does a blacksmith take a crude piece of metal, and place him over a forge whose liberating flame of education is fired by the bellows of strict military discipline.
Into this ingot of a man I shall temper self-respect and self-discipline, fear of God and respect for mankind, appreciation of freedom and awareness of what sacrifices must be made to preserve freedom, and above all an insatiable desire for truth and honesty.
And when all these things I have done, I shall brand my finished work with a ring of gold to let all of humanity know that I have given back to the world a ...Citadel Man.”
I am in awe of my best friend and one of the best Citadel men I have ever known. God bless Bill Xxxxx!!!
