Friday, April 1, 2011

A Donor Has Been Found!

If there's one thing I have learned through this amazing kidney journey, it's that nothing should amaze me.

You remember the story of the anonymous Detroit gentleman, a stranger to me and in terminal condition, who read about my situation and designated that one of his kidneys be given to me upon his passing? (If not, you can read about it here.) That selfless donation had to be declined for numerous reasons, but now, astonishingly, another potential organ donor has stepped forward:

Charlie Sheen.

Apparently during all my coverage of Sheen's tribulations with Two and a Half Men as TV critic for the Detroit Metro Times, one of his people, Stan Rosenfeld, came across Just Kidneying while Googling my name and brought the blog to his attention. In the call I received last night, Sheen says he feels moved to make sure I'm "WINNING!" in my quest for a transplant and is in the process of undergoing a blood test to make sure we're a type match. Even if we're not, he feels the tiger's blood surging through his veins will be enough to overcome any incompatibility issues.

The real issue, as it was with the man from Detroit, will be the overall health and condition of his organs. Charlie believes his kidneys are sufficiently pickled to be well preserved for transplantation, and as a "rock star from Mars" he thinks it's highly possible he may have a third or fourth extra kidney inside him anyway.

We plan to meet in person backstage during his live tour stop at the Fox Theatre in Detroit Saturday to seal the deal, at which time I will tell him what I'm about to tell you now.

Happy April Fool's Day, everybody.