PKD Life - Summer 2021 - 15

GOOD
" A combination
of maturit y and
gratit ude has
made me a pe rson
who enjo ys lif e
aga in. "
I had to go on dialysis and fell into a deep
depression. But I needed to continue to work
for my sanity. So I'd party at the splashy Hollywood
premieres with Tom Hanks and J.Lo and
then come home to hook myself up to a dialysis
machine. I was dragging, bloated, and I didn't
feel great.
My Advice
BE PART OF THE PROCESS. Don't sit back and
have the doctors do all the work. I educate myself on
every medication and every procedure.
ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF. I couldn't understand
why people with transplants weren't prioritized
to get the COVID-19 vaccine. I was so riled up about it
and angry and perplexed. I was happy to rattle cages
because I thought it was wrong.
GET A GOOD DOCTOR. Dr. Jordan is my absolute
hero. He is my partner in this kidney journey,
an extraordinary, compassionate, beautiful human
being. And I'm in really good measure because of him.
If your doctor doesn't answer your questions, doesn't
have good bedside manner, or you don't feel supported
in any way, fi nd another doctor.
MY MOTHER'S GIFT
Hollywood can be a callous town, but shockingly
everyone here was very supportive. I'd gone
public right before my transplant in an interview
with Mary Hart, whom I adore. And everyone
continued to be warm and gracious and really
kind. People would ask how I was. There I was,
literally on the Oscars red carpet, and George
Clooney pulled me aside and said, " How are you
doing, Cojo? " I was truly stunned by how lovely
everyone was.
My kidney doctor, Stanley Jordan, M.D., suggested
that I start looking for another donor right
away. When he suggested my mother, I nearly
passed out. I was not going to let anyone cut open
a 70-year-old Holocaust survivor. Absolutely not.
But my mother insisted on getting tested. And
she was a match. I only agreed after she appeared
in front of a panel of doctors who unanimously
agreed that she was a gorgeous specimen and
could run circles around all of us.
Thankfully, that second transplant took. I've
just celebrated my 15th transplant year, and I'm
feeling stronger than ever. I take good care of
myself, and I feel terrifi c, knock on wood. I think
a combination of maturity and gratitude has
made me a person who enjoys life again.
*
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PKD Life - Summer 2021

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