Today, I had a scheduled appointment with my transplant doctors at Columbia University Hospital in Manhattan. Last week, I underwent MRI imaging for my kidneys, pancreas, and liver. The purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss the results. I received excellent news about my liver transplant, with no signs of fatty liver and healthy bile ducts. My kidney imaging showed a few cysts, and I also have a couple of hernias, which might require surgery next year. I’ve been making progress on my weight loss journey, going from 332 pounds to 250 pounds, aiming to reach my goal of 190 pounds. My perspective on food has changed significantly since my time in prison, where I gained a newfound self-discipline. I prioritize healthy eating, including raw vegetables, fish, steamed chicken, and cabbage.
Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, I remember facing a severe liver rejection while in prison, leading to my hospitalization at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston on December 12, 2022. During that difficult period, I was restrained to a hospital bed with ankle chains and handcuffs, guarded around the clock. Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the hospital bed, cut off from my family due to institutional regulations, was a tough experience. Eventually, I was discharged on December 29, 2022, only to be placed in solitary confinement upon returning to the Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts. This isolation lasted until January 5, 2023, making the transition even more challenging. Despite these hardships, I’ve maintained a strong and positive mindset.
I wanted to share this journal entry to express my gratitude for being alive and acknowledge the incredible doctors and nurses at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. I penned a heartfelt letter of thanks before my discharge, which they displayed in the nurses’ room. Although they expressed their appreciation, I’m the one truly thankful for their care. Today, I am able to write this journal entry with immense gratitude for the journey I’ve been through. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
