06/17/2026
10 years ago Steve weighed about 135 pounds was green and itchy beyond belief. He was sick. He confused. He was just tired. Tired of the itching. Tired of feeling lousy and tired of fighting.
On day 12 of the 2 weeks that I asked him for, we got THE CALL. We got in the truck and headed towards UVA in rush hour 66 traffic. Of course there was an accident within the first 5 miles of the drive. But I got over and was getting off the exit to go further down but saw that the accident was right there. So I was able to jump back on 66. I can still vividly remember the mixed emotions I was feeling. I was incredibly excited and happy for us. A transplant was the only thing that could take care of the itching. He needed this. But our donor…… how incredibly sad their family must be. The tears, the pain, the heartbreak of losing their loved one….. I truly still feel it.
We safely made it to UVA. This time it was just Bailey who made it down. Madison was having finals and Stephen had just arrived at a music festival. And just 10 days earlier we had “the dry run” so this could once again not happen.
We had siblings gathered around the bed and in typical Steve Nugent fashion, he was making us laugh. Saying movie quotes that went right along with whatever the nurse was doing to him at the time….. “ One ping. One ping only.” from Hunt for Red October🤣…..The siblings left and Bailey and I “slept” in the room.
The same orderly who wheeled him to the OR 10 days earlier was our orderly once again. The OR staff were the same…. I KNEW it was going to happen this time. We had all the kinks worked out and it was time. I could not ask him to keep fighting anymore….
With family and friends with me we finally went to get something to eat. We had been told the transplant would take possibly twice as long as the first one because they had to get through all the scar tissue. But just as they brought our drinks I had a phone call that they were closing up and the doctor would meet me outside the waiting room. Everything went great!!!
What the heck I said to the family….. and I ran down the hill back to the hospital with my flip flops flapping so loud people literally cleared a path for me!
So today June 16th is the day that Steve (we) honor our donor. Our Hero and his/her family. Today we made our way to Denver Colorado to participate in the bi-annual Transplant Games of America! Along with thousands of recipients, living donors and donor families we celebrate the gift of second …or third chances and the HEROES that have allowed us to be here to celebrate.
So if you would please take a moment to think about not only Steve’s amazing donor but ALL of the donors out there, we would truly appreciate it.
We still hope one day we can meet our Donor Family but no matter what they are always thought of by us and we are forever grateful. 💙💚🦋💚💙
As always….. TODAY is a great day to register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor!
