Mark Peizer’s 50th birthday plans were not all balloons and cake. Mark thought reaching his “fabulous fifties” would only be a distant dream, not a reality. In fact, Mark’s milestone birthdays had never quite lived up to their so-called splendor.

When Mark turned 21, he developed a very rare form of meningitis and encephalitis, thought to be a fungal infection. He was in and out of the hospital for more than a year when his body finally began responding to the antifungal treatments. At age 40, Mark developed diabetes, heart disease, and even worse – he learned he had an accelerated progression of kidney disease stemming from the intense amounts of antifungal treatment he had received.

Mark went on dialysis at the age of 47, and just two years later was told by his physician that without a transplant, he had less than six months to live. Mark’s body became so acidic that even with intensive dialysis treatments, his condition was rapidly declining. The calcium in Mark’s body was going into his blood instead of his bones, causing calcification in his arteries and weakness to his bones.

Mark lost a remarkable 150 pounds to prove to himself and his nephrologist just how determined he was to receive a kidney. Luckily, there was a donor available – Michele Moeller, a mother of four from New Jersey. “I was touched by Michele’s generosity to donate her kidney to me. She just wanted to help someone in need,” said Mark.

Mark and Michele were “crossmatched” for blood type, antigens and antibodies. Michele had to undergo a day and one-half of extensive tests to ensure she was an appropriate donor. She also underwent a psychological exam and had bone marrow removed that would later be given to Mark. With a green light of approval, the transplant surgery was performed at the Bethesda National Institute of Health in Maryland.

“Now that someone has done something so special for me it has changed my life entirely,” praised Mark. “Before, I would always take care of my family, but not others. I didn’t just get a new life; I got a different life, one that I use to help others now.”

Mark has gathered a lot of advice for other kidney patients throughout his experiences. The one thing he encourages others to do the most is ask. He urges patients to ask their doctors’ questions they might be wondering, ask other patients about their experiences and ask family members for help.

“A lot of people don’t get involved with their healthcare, but by getting involved it took my mind off of the dialysis and any pain I was feeling,” said Mark. “Being on dialysis is not a time to pity yourself, but a time to look at the disease as an obstacle to overcome.”

Mark also says that becoming a fighter has helped him tremendously, especially through his transplant surgery. “You can’t give up under any circumstances,” exclaimed Mark. “Pretend you are a medical student and learn everything there is to know about kidney disease and what you are going through.”

Now 50 years old, Mark says that he does not feel a day over 25. He jokes that his wife cannot keep up with him on certain days. Now, Mark participates in activities he could only dream of doing months ago. He swims, walks on the treadmill, and walks his dog.

“Trust me, I don’t exercise because I want to,” laughs Mark. “I do it because I can. I feel like a prisoner that has been let out. I appreciate every little thing the world has to offer 100 percent more than I used to.”

Mark is currently planning what he refers to as “the big kahuna,” a family trip to the Greek Isles and Italy, in October. He plans on traveling a lot, seeing things that he used to take for granted. Not only has Mark experienced an improvement in his health, but also an improvement in his over all well-being.

Mark’s traveling plans are aided by his new outlook on keeping healthy and active. “When I used to go out everyone would pass me by, I felt horrible,” said Mark. “It was like I couldn’t keep up with society, but now I can keep up with the best of them. I am driven.”

Mark has joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to give back to his community. He remains very close with Michele, whom he refers to as his “angel.” They speak weekly and she remains an inspiration to him. Together, they are working to increase public awareness of the need for organ donation.

“Don’t give up on life. Don’t give up on finding a donor,” exclaimed Mark. “I want people to know that there are Michele’s out there, there are angels around.”

This article originally appeared in the September 2005 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 21, No. 2.

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