CASTLE HILL, Maine — On July 3, Orpheus Allison received the phone call he had been waiting on for seven years: a healthy kidney was available and ready to become his ticket to a more active, fulfilling life.
By that evening, Allison had arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The next day, as people around the nation were celebrating the Fourth of July, he woke up from surgery ready to celebrate his own newfound independence.
“I could already feel something different. I felt more energetic, like the wait was over and I was starting a new page of my life,” Allison said, about those early post-surgery hours.
Now, a month after the kidney transplant, Allison plans to return to his Castle Hill home from the extended care unit in which he has stayed since being discharged from Mass General. He has spent his days meeting with doctors and other health-care specialists on his transplant team and preparing for the next stage of his life.
Compared to what he endured for nearly eight years, Allison noted, taking anti-rejection medications for his new kidney will be the least of his troubles.
After being diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, more commonly known as kidney failure, in 2014, Allison spent several days a week in Presque Isle’s dialysis unit. Since his kidneys could no longer filter toxins from his body, his arms were hooked up to needles that filtered toxins for at least four hours per appointment.
Like other dialysis patients, Allison endured the treatments to prolong his life. But even regular dialysis does not cure kidney disease and leaves patients feeling physically and emotionally exhausted due to the body’s inability to regularly clean toxins on its own.
Though Allison credits his sense of humor and relatively active lifestyle for keeping him alive, he saw and felt the debilitating effects of dialysis. He got to know many fellow patients, some of whom were not as fortunate.
“It’s exhausting. You’re trying to get rid of toxins in your body but still trying to live a life as normal as possible,” Allison said. “One of my fellow patients has been going for more than 20 years but there are others who pass away within a year.”
But amid the struggles, Allison maintained one beacon of hope: being on the waiting list as a potential kidney recipient.
These days, Allison has slowly been incorporating more physical activity into his life and working with doctors to adjust his new medication dosages. Once he is back home, Allison hopes to pursue activities that he previously did not have enough strength for, such as kayaking, fishing and attending local events.
Without heavy diet restrictions, he is looking forward to trying the “infamous” homemade doughnuts sold at the Mapleton Diner.
For people looking to help, Allison has set up a medical expense account at Machias Savings Bank in Presque Isle. By sharing his experiences, he wants people going through similar challenges to know that there is hope.
“It’s a cliche to say I’ve been going through a rebirth, but it’s true,” Allison said. “All of this has taught me to rely on my strength and not give up. Even when I’ve had setbacks, it has made me come back more determined to do everything I could.”
And one day Allison hopes to meet the family of the person whose kidney has given him that second chance at life.
“I want them to know how greatly I appreciate their gift.”
