Bob’s Fight For His Life
What drives one person to a overcome while others give up before the fight? We all have our reasons as not to “fight a good fight”, but I chose not to be lead like sheep to the final slaughter house. I chose to fight back and live. So has the man I wish to write about, Bob DiCarlo.
Being sick with kidney failure is difficult. There are 5 stages of kidney failure with stage 5 meaning dialysis, transplant or death. With stage 4 the kidneys are working less than 30 percent. With this there is anemia, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue etc. Your body is loaded with toxins and as I tell others when I speak, “Imagine you had the worse case of flu in your life and this was a good day.” However, as sick as someone is with kidney failure, you must be near death, yet healthy, in shape and not overweight just to get on the transplant list…… And one could be on the list for many years.
Bob was nearing stage 5 and was blessed to have a person (Gordon) step forward to be tested to offer his kidney. Like Bob, Gordon has to be in perfect health (not even high blood pressure) to go through the rigorous testing. Gordon was found to be fit and he started the testing to see if he could offer his friend one of his kidneys. Now, it was Bobs turn to pass the exam. Bob had lost 30 lbs from cutting down his food before I met him, but what he had lost wasn’t all fat. He went to see if he qualified, but he did not because of his BMI. I explained to Bob we would work to build muscle, get stronger and be “Stronger than the affliction.” Bob worked hard in the gym. Three days a week for 30-45 minutes he trained. I watched as days I knew he was not feeling well, but I pushed him and he took the challenge. Bob became stronger and stronger as he was lifting more than his peers in age or even half. We had him eat “more” food and cut out any aerobics. It was wonderful seeing him gain his strength despite the circumstances. He went from from being sickly and riding in a golf cart to walking the course. And moving his household goods (over 60 boxes) and not skipping a beat. Gordon was declared a match, but Bob had to wait. However, he was running out of time. Bob would have to undergo dialysis to live by the end of the month of February. …
Bob passed!!! He lost over 65lbs in 6 months and received his gift of life on Tuesday, February 6th. He and Gordon are doing well. Bob walked the halls the day of his surgery and returned home Friday! When I visited him, he said the words, “I am blessed.”
Bob was told by our Doctor that he is 1 in 5 that accepted the challenge and succeeded. He is the “few” who took on the challenge and wanted to live. The doctor told him, he must never go back with the weight gain. Bob responded, “I’m not, because I am not done yet.” Tuesday he asked me when he could return to the gym! And for all who know me, I said, “Next week as soon a Dr Vella says, yes.” Bob chose to fight back because he chose to live and not die. We should all take a chapter from Bob (and Gordon’s) book. We should all take the challenge and fight back no matter how dire the circumstances. We hope to interview them soon. Thank you Gordon for your gift of life and for Bob who Refused 2B Feeble. It has been an honor to train you and watch you achieve your goals.
Bob was nearing stage 5 and was blessed to have a person (Gordon) step forward to be tested to offer his kidney. Like Bob, Gordon has to be in perfect health (not even high blood pressure) to go through the rigorous testing. Gordon was found to be fit and he started the testing to see if he could offer his friend one of his kidneys. Now, it was Bobs turn to pass the exam. Bob had lost 30 lbs from cutting down his food before I met him, but what he had lost wasn’t all fat. He went to see if he qualified, but he did not because of his BMI. I explained to Bob we would work to build muscle, get stronger and be “Stronger than the affliction.” Bob worked hard in the gym. Three days a week for 30-45 minutes he trained. I watched as days I knew he was not feeling well, but I pushed him and he took the challenge. Bob became stronger and stronger as he was lifting more than his peers in age or even half. We had him eat “more” food and cut out any aerobics. It was wonderful seeing him gain his strength despite the circumstances. He went from from being sickly and riding in a golf cart to walking the course. And moving his household goods (over 60 boxes) and not skipping a beat. Gordon was declared a match, but Bob had to wait. However, he was running out of time. Bob would have to undergo dialysis to live by the end of the month of February. …
Bob passed!!! He lost over 65lbs in 6 months and received his gift of life on Tuesday, February 6th. He and Gordon are doing well. Bob walked the halls the day of his surgery and returned home Friday! When I visited him, he said the words, “I am blessed.”
Bob was told by our Doctor that he is 1 in 5 that accepted the challenge and succeeded. He is the “few” who took on the challenge and wanted to live. The doctor told him, he must never go back with the weight gain. Bob responded, “I’m not, because I am not done yet.” Tuesday he asked me when he could return to the gym! And for all who know me, I said, “Next week as soon a Dr Vella says, yes.” Bob chose to fight back because he chose to live and not die. We should all take a chapter from Bob (and Gordon’s) book. We should all take the challenge and fight back no matter how dire the circumstances. We hope to interview them soon. Thank you Gordon for your gift of life and for Bob who Refused 2B Feeble. It has been an honor to train you and watch you achieve your goals.
