Lost in Transplantation: Memoir of an Unconventional Organ Donor by Eldonna Edwards

Author:Eldonna Edwards [Edwards, Eldonna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Whole Heart Publications
Published: 2014-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

November 2010 (continued)

After almost four years of mostly waiting for something to happen, I now found myself in the midst of a medical whirlwind. Between the colonoscopy, the mammogram, EKG, and blood tests, I’d gone from nearly giving up on the donation to becoming hyper-focused on it. A little distraction was in order and thanks to my dear friend Nick, I found it.

I’d met Nick and his wife at a New Year’s dinner shortly after we’d arrived on the west coast. Like us, they were looking to make friends with similar-minded folks in the area after moving to California from the Midwest. Coincidentally we’d been seated at the same table and soon discovered all four of us were transplants from Michigan with corresponding interests in environmental, spiritual, and humanitarian activities. Unfortunately, as often happens, when Bill and I split up in 2000 we drifted apart from our “couples friends” and I’d lost track of Nick and his wife.

It had probably been seven years since I’d seen Nick when he spotted Bill and me having coffee one afternoon at Steynberg Gallery, a cafe that hosts local art shows and intimate concerts. My ex-husband and I had managed to remain friends after our divorce and would occasionally get together to catch up on the other’s life. Nick sat with his men’s group reading and discussing Dante’ as they apparently did every Tuesday.

A huge smile spread over Nick’s face as he strolled over to our table.

“Bill? Ellie? It’s so good to see you!”

We both stood and enjoyed one of Nick’s gregarious hugs.

“You look great, Ellie. Are you still doing massage?”

“I am. And still loving it.”

He glanced back toward his friends who patiently waited to start their reading.

“Give me your card. I don’t want to lose track of you again.”

As I fished around in my backpack he turned to Bill.

“Are you two…”

“No, we’re just friends,” Bill said, saving him from the awkward question.

“Ah. That’s great.”

A week later Nick met me at Joe Momma’s, the coffee shop below the spa in Avila Beach where I worked. We immediately fell back into our familiar friendship and promised not to lose touch again. Since that day we’ve shared hours of great conversation and many dinners followed by shared poetry over a cup of tea and dessert. Our relationship is platonic but our love for each other runs deep. He is the kind of friend with whom I can share anything and not feel judged, be completely my silly or serious self and feel totally accepted.

On the evening after my mammogram, Nick and I met up at Steynberg to enjoy a concert given by an up-and-coming gypsy band of seasoned local musicians who call themselves Café Musique. Their music is both lively and haunting and the banter between the members made us feel as if we were sitting in one of their living rooms. Every chair was filled and people clapped and tapped their feet while the band played a variety of songs for nearly two hours without stopping.

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