Mazel Tov, John Kasich, Your BUN looks good

A short man with a tray of asian chicken skewers asked Jeff if anyone had ever told him he looked like John Kasich.  The server assured him that he could run for office on that attribute alone.  Jeff snagged a skewer from the tray and the two shared a good laugh. 

It was a great party – the Gift of Life Gala at the Grand Hyatt, New York City.  Amidst some pretty incredible hors d'oeuvre stations, we met Mark, a 14-year survivor, now 21 years old, and asked him a few questions about long-term survival.  It seems he just rolls with whatever comes along, thyroid cancer most recently.  He related this with a wide, happy-to-be-alive smile and a little shrug. 

Jeff wore a Recipient ribbon that earned him many happy greetings.  While waiting at the corned beef and pastrami station, he was greeted by a man named Avraham, “Mazel Tov!”  Jeff, unsure of the correct reply, offered “Mazel Tov!” 

This was the largest gala to date – tables for ten were numbered into the 130s!  Many attendees may have been fans of the vivacious NY personality, Wendy Siegel, who was introduced by her lovely friend, Tovah Feldshuh (of Law & Order fame).  Wendy spoke emotionally about her cancer/transplant journey (primarily crediting her support system) before meeting her donor, Mordechai.  We could identify with her efforts to express her gratitude and, well, what can you say?  Marrow donors know well what gift they give. 

Gift of Life rolled out their new logo for this, their 25^th, year.  At dinner I sat beside Robin whose company, Brains on Fire, is responsible for the rebranding.  Although her organization serves non-profits and she must surely hear inspirational stories from many of her clients, Robin wept as each recipient met their donor.  Jeff, too, felt emotional, remembering meeting his beautiful donor, Nicole, at a Gift of Life event in 2013. 

Also at our table was Deena who met her donor at last year’s gala.  She and Jeff had a lot to talk about.  And Adam, who donated marrow 11 years ago, proudly shared pictures of his recipient’s high school graduation as if he was the big brother.  It was really nice to see that kind of attachment.  Adam’s parents, also at the table, have supported Gift of Life since hearing that Adam was a match.  After our disclosure that we are not Jewish, nor is Jeff’s donor, Adam’s father told us that although they are Ashkenazi Jews, Adam’s recipient is not Jewish.  He speculated that ethnic mixing during the holocaust carried down generations created the situation where Adam could help this boy. 

An update on Jeff’s last visit with the kidney specialist:  she says his BUN looks good (Blood Urea Nitrogen).  His creatinine also showed improvement.  His efforts to reduce his protein intake paid off.  Jeff told her he hadn’t eaten any beef since he last saw her.  She sucked in her breath and said, “I didn’t say never eat!  You must enjoy – sometimes!” 

Jeff reported eliminating nuts from his diet as well.  She said, “No nuts.  I don’t want you to eat nuts.”  Jeff had hoped to hear, “Nuts – you must enjoy sometimes.”  Oh, well. 

Symptoms persist - so, naturally, more tests and perhaps a biopsy in July.