GIFT OF LIFE

Bill Hahn Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Kidney–Pancreas Transplant

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – My story began nearly 30 years ago when, at the age of 25 and just one week before getting married, I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Wow, two life changing events in the same week – I was shocked!

I was an avid runner, wasn’t overweight, and maintained a proper diet, but there it was staring me in the face. Obviously, my life would never be the same.

I tried my best to control my diabetes with insulin shots, diet, daily exercise and constant blood glucose monitoring but it was a constant  battle.

I fell victim to the many complications of the disease including blindness, coma and seizures. I only gained good control when I went on an insulin pump 25 years later.

Soon after, I was shocked once again in March 2008 when I was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure – another life changing event.

I went on dialysis three days a week, and though it was tiring, I maintained my fitness and good blood sugar control until receiving a kidney–pancreas double transplant at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida on Dec. 31, 2008.

While you can’t choose your donor family you can choose your hospital. I chose Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. After my visit I knew it was the right choice.

They treated my organs as if they were their own. And, I say this even though I am a Florida State Seminole. In addition, they offer an ‘Art in Medicine’ program that helps patients cope with the rigors of their journey – something I had practiced all my life using my Lyrical Photography and song writing as healthy treatments to escape from the unrelenting beat of chronic illness.

BILL HAHN’S REMARKABLE SURVIVAL of diabetes, dialysis and transplantation can, in large part, be attributed to his dedication to vigorous exercise, as shown in the photo illustrations above and below. Bill is now back to running 20 miles a day, splitting time between his Precor elliptical cross trainer and Precor advanced motion trainer. PHOTO BY YVETTE GIOIA

Back To Living

I was one of the lucky ones, having to wait only eight months from the time I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure until receiving my transplant. That’s when I got my first glimpse of the joy of living...AGAIN!

Now, just one year after receiving my double transplant I’m no longer diabetic, I’m no longer on insulin and I’m no longer on dialysis. Another life changing event!
I now run 20 miles a day, splitting time between my Precor elliptical cross trainer and my Precor advanced motion trainer.

I also continue to practice my art of Lyrical Photography and I’m back to work full time in the health and wellness industry. Because of my transplant, and my improved health and vision, the therapies I maintained to survive are daily habits that have given me the joy of living...AGAIN!

What’s Next?

I’ll be a part of The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) U.S. Transplant Games in Madison, Wisconsin next summer where recipients, families and donor families participate in athletic events to celebrate the success of transplantation and share with the world the gift of life they have been given. The NKF of Florida, an affiliate of the NKF, will have 200 attendees at the event.

The NKF of Florida organizes many local events, the biggest being the Labor Day Surf Festival. It will be celebrating its 25th year in 2010, and it promises to be the best yet.

Spreading the Word

Through my blog on SpaceCoastMedicine.com, I will be sharing my story of being a living and breathing example that you can have an active, happy and productive life during dialysis and even more so after getting a transplant.

The number of people in need of organ transplant continues to increase, and still far outweighs donors. The longer a patient remains on dialysis waiting for a transplant the more uncertain the outcome.

Waiting time on dialysis is the strongest modifiable risk factor for successful renal transplant outcomes. Please become a donor or donate to the National Kidney Foundation. Help give to others what has been given back to me – the joy of living.

I look forward to volunteering my time, efforts and attitude and hope to share it with the 26 million others afflicted with chronic kidney failure.

A special thanks goes to my donor family, my transplant team at Shands Hospital in Gainesville and my family support team, a group I now re-join in the joy of living...AGAIN!

Bill Hahn is a double transplant recipient, former pro surfer, business owner, personal trainer and published Lyrical Photographer. He has owned Home Fitness Warehouse in Melbourne, Florida since 1992. You can reach Hahn at 866-387-1745, or e-mail amuse6168@att.net.

Related posts:

1. Double Transplant Recipient Provides Inspiration
2. Double Transplant Recipient Dedicates Music Video To Donors
3. “The Call” Rings In New Year, New Life
4. Hahn, Salick To Compete In U.S. Transplant Games
5. ‘Boomers’ Driven By Higher Expectations For Healthy Living