Carlos Sousa greeted each morning in the Sunshine State with a newfound appreciation for the little things.
In particular, the simple gift of unrestrained mobility.
“Probably the furthest I could walk prior to that was five minutes… maybe 10 if I really pushed it. I’d get gassed and have to stop,” recalled the 67 year old, of one of the countless hardships once imposed by kidney failure. “To be able to walk for an hour (now) with friends who were perfectly healthy, and I kept up with them. They were shocked.”
That startling transformation – revealed to loved ones earlier this month on his first trip in several years – comes courtesy of the new lease on life granted by Milton Olympian and family friend Travis Gerrits’ kidney donation.
Now celebrating the one year anniversary of the Feb. 20 transplant, both donor and recipient are doing great.
In fact to hear Sousa tell it, that might be a bit of an understatement.
“The hospital felt that I’d done so well they asked me to do a physical ‘cause they wanted to use that as a baseline for other potential transplant patients to say this is what you’re capable of potentially doing after a year,” said the husband and father of three, estimating that he’s 85 to 90 per cent of where he was when completely healthy . “It (test results) gives me hope. It tells me everything I’m feeling within my body, physically and mentally, isn’t just short term.”
Along with boosted stamina, Sousa is not longer at the mercy of dialysis. That's opened the door to a healthier diet and -- with more exercise these days -- significant weight loss.
Gerrits’ recovery has been equally impressive.
After what he admitted was a painful and energy-zapping initial stretch after surgery, the 33-year-old aerial ski champion has been carving up the Glen Eden slopes this winter – among his usual activities.
“Between the three and six month mark, I got so healthy so quickly. As far as the mental recovery, I’ve gone through so many of those through sport that I think it translated really well into this as well.”
Speaking to the donation’s larger impact, Sousa offers a serene smile when thinking of the relief now enjoyed by his family.
“To be worried about not having the head of the family, I know had a tremendous amount of stress on them,” said Sousa, who’s in the process of relocating up north and is now able to help with the move and handle household chores beyond his capability just a short time ago. “My wife suffered with me for years. It’s a huge weight off her.”
For those considering a living organ donation, Gerrits knows there’s an awful lot to consider – but also that the journey comes with a great deal of support.
“The doctors and our support team at Toronto General were some of the greatest healthcare systems and teams that I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said the Milton Sports Hall of Famer. “The recovery is painful at first, but it’s worth it. It’s doable.”
Echoed Sousa, “The teams that are involved with doing these transplants are some of the most incredible physicians and teams out there. They make the process a lot easier.”
With matching donation tattoos now on their rib cages, donor and recipient look back on the transplant from different sides of the gratitude coin – one for the opportunity, the other for the generosity.
“I’m extremely happy we went through with this,” said Gerrits. “There’s not one ounce of regret on my end.”
Said Sousa, “I’m forever grateful, forever indebted, forever blessed. The only thing I’m not ready to do is ski jumping.. Doing flip and that."