February 12, 2021, is a day Willie Harrison will never forget. After seven long years of weekly dialysis appointments and four years on a transplant list, Willie finally received a kidney.
“I am so thankful,” he says, remembering that day. “When I got the call, I was in tears. I jumped into a Lyft and went straight to BMC. I stayed overnight at the hospital, and they took me into surgery first thing the next morning.”
Thanks to BMC transplant surgeon Dr. Sarah Meade and her team, Willie’s surgery was a success, and his recovery was smooth. After the kidney transplant, he made a commitment to taking care of himself.
“I became a new me. I realized that it was time to make some big changes in my life to protect my new kidney,” he says. It was then that Willie began monitoring his cholesterol, drinking more water, exercising, eating healthier, and watching his weight.
Before the transplant, Willie’s journey had many ups and downs. After having frequent, debilitating headaches and muscle weakness, Willie finally saw a doctor and received the devastating news that he had kidney failure. And for the next seven years, he spent much of his time on dialysis.
“I would go [to my dialysis appointments] from 5:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday of every week. I’d bring my headphones and tablet, anything to make the time go by,” he says. “Being on the transplant list helped me get through. I knew I just had to be patient and my time would eventually come.”
“Never give up. Always listen to your doctors and remember you can do this.”
This positive outlook helped him remain strong through many operations, including gastric bypass surgery: “You have to keep the faith, be patient, and be ready for when the time comes.”
Willie is grateful for the support he received from his church and family, especially his daughter, Natasha. He says, “You have to remember to say thank you to everyone who supported you along the way. Let them know how much you appreciate them.”
Willie is also grateful for his care team at BMC. “The nurses were so compassionate and the doctors took great care of me,” he says. For others embarking on their transplant journey, Willie advises, “Never give up. Always listen to your doctors and remember you can do this.”