At The Edge
By: Tom Awad
Thomas Awad received a liver transplant on November 16, 2002. However his journey began several months before.
After being hospitalized on two occasions in Windsor for approximately three weeks in September 2002, he was admitted to University Hospital in London and then transferred to the Multiple Organ Transplant Service (MOTS) Unit where he remained for three months.
While there, Tom's health continued it's a downward spiral with his liver and kidneys barely functioning. After a complete assessment he was immediately placed on the critical transplant waiting list as a high priority.
After a month's stay, a liver was found that matched the medical criteria for Tom. The seven and one-half hour operation was successful. After the operation Tom's kidney's started to fail and along with serious infection in his incision and through out his body extended his stay for another two months. With prayers from family and friends and the excellent care at University hospital, Tom was released and came home on January 16, 2003. He has a new lease on life and is feeling better than he has felt in years.
Tom is currently training everyday for a series of 5km races he intends to run for charities in the Windsor area. The ultimate goal is to compete in the 2005 Transplant Games in London, Ontario.
As a tribute to his donor and family , Tom wrote a poem entitled "At The Edge" for his family and friends who prayed for his recovery. This poem reflects how he felt surviving an emotional roller coaster ride in hospital and after the transplant.
Click here to see full size poem (PDF 782 kb)
