Kidney Transplant Update: Waiting with Faith, Gratitude, and Hope

I’m 52 years old and have been on peritoneal dialysis (PD) for the past three years with DaVita.
My nephrologist, Dr. Patricia Khalil at Allegheny General Hospital, has guided my care throughout this journey, and today I remain active on the kidney transplant list.

Over the last month, we received two calls for potential transplant organs.
Both times, we believed the moment had finally arrived.

The most recent call — on February 7, 2026 — brought us all the way to hospital room 825.
The organ had arrived and was placed on the cycler for evaluation… but it wasn’t performing well enough for transplant.

So once again… we wait.

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Where This Journey Began

This road truly started the day I met Tammy at DaVita.

I was scared.
I felt lost.
I had very little hope.

I was there to learn how to run the machine that would keep me alive.
I felt terrible physically, work was exhausting, and the dialysis catheter hanging from my side was a constant reminder that life had changed.

Slowly, I learned.

• I learned how to perform dialysis.
• I learned how to live inside a new normal.
• I learned how to keep going even when I didn’t feel like myself.

There were days of deep fatigue, exhaustion, and the constant “blah” that kidney failure brings.
But over time, dialysis stopped being a crisis and became part of my nightly routine.

Doctor visits, blood work every other Friday, and the structure of care all became manageable.
Not easy — but manageable.

My machine fits in the truck, the supplies are heavy, but in a pinch can be delivered in any amount to any location in the USA! I am able to travel, set up the machine, perform dialysis anywhere I have electric! We been to Toledo, Florida, and all over Michigan, Now here’s the kicker, the machine fits in the back of the Harley Electra Glide Classic, and Solution and Supplies fit in Saddle Bags. With a back pack and hotel life ain’t all bad!

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The Financial and Emotional Cleansing

Chronic illness changes more than your health.
It changes everything.

Losing vehicles, motorcycles, and things you worked hard for… that hurts.
But then something unexpected happens:

Family shows up.
Love shows up.
Perspective shows up.

What once felt like hopelessness tied to a machine slowly transformed into something else:

A path toward transplant.
A chance at a new lease on life.

And when that lease comes…
I plan to drive the wheels off it.

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Faith Over Fear

Something inside me has changed.

I’m no longer anxious about the future.
God’s plan has been solid this entire time, and I trust that continues now.

So I’m choosing to:

• Roll forward with faith
• Follow my heart
• Lead with kindness and compassion
• Do the work with optimism and joy

When I look back on this journey someday, I know the footprints in the sand won’t be mine alone.

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To Everyone Following This Journey

If you’re reading this, you’re part of the story.

Because the truth is:

I started this journey scared, overwhelmed, and feeling like my life was over.

But along the way, something incredible happened.

Your:

• Comments
• Messages
• Encouragement
• Friendship
• Prayers

…turned fear into confidence
…turned anxiety into comfort
…and reminded me that even when we feel alone in the wilderness,
we are never truly alone.

You’ve been with me:

• On the screen
• At the house
• Wherever I may roam

And I’m more grateful than words can express.

What began as overwhelming fear has become something completely different:

Love.
Support.
Encouragement.
Hope.

Thank you for walking this road with me.

And for now…

We wait.
We trust.
We believe.

— Marcus

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