How many among you would have a name for your kidney? I do. The name is Bon-G.

Seventeen years ago, my sister, Gigi, and I lay half-conscious in the operating room of the Philippine National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) waiting for that crucial moment when her left kidney would be transplanted to my lower, right abdomen. I remember seeing her in the adjacent room sleeping motionless as I begin to drift into the dark abyss. Twelve hours later I woke up in the recovery room with my surgeon rubbing my arm and saying: "your new kidney released 1.5 liters of urine!" She was very happy while I didn't exactly understand what that meant. Still in a daze, the first thing I asked was, "where's my sister?" And the only thing I heard was "she is now back to her room. All went well …." and I was back into oblivion happy to know that Gigi was well and alive! (Later I learned that the 1.5 liter of urine meant my donated kidney functioned very well for me! My sister and I had a perfect match (which normally only happens between twins; Gigi is four years younger than me), thus I wasn't surprised that her kidney worked seamlessly for me!

I spent two nights in the ICU, and on the 4th day, Gigi, on a wheelchair, an IV secured into her hand, and wearing a mask, visited me in my room! (All those around me, including me, wear masks since I am immunocompromised.) She was recuperating in another room and was allowed to see me before she leaves for home the following day! I was so surprised that she will be discharged so soon! She looks so upbeat and strong, and the only pain she said she intensely felt was the wound of a 3-inch rib bone that was cut from her ribcage to enable the surgeon to harvest her kidney without damaging it. My sister, my hero indeed!

The first two years after my transplant were not easy! I was on quarantine after surgery for almost six months due to my very low immune system, and corollary to this, my body was adjusting to a new "foreign object" inside me. Several anti- rejection medicines were tried to find out which one would be best tolerated by my system and my new kidney. My doctor tested three different anti-rejection meds before my body finally and positively accepted my present medicine which stabilized my creatinine level (kidney function). It was a roller-coaster ride considering the emotional, physical and financial costs to me and my family. But God has been good as He carried me through these initial years.

In the meantime, my sister was accepted to an exchange program in the US as a special education (SPED) teacher. Just less than a year after our surgery she left for Las Vegas, Nevada, this time to share her skills and talents and touch the lives of children with special needs. She always has a soft spot for children but having the fortitude and perseverance to teach differently-abled kids is doubly amazing and remarkable! She is truly my hero!

I have always believed that this is her charism. God gave Gigi a special gift to live her life for others; voluntarily giving one of her kidneys to me, without fear of what this may mean to her own health and well-being and making a career and a calling as SPED teacher. When I heard the news that she got that job in Las Vegas, I expressed to her my belief that indeed her generosity has paid off. God opened a wider window of opportunity for her in exchange for her altruistic offer to donate her kidney to me without expecting anything in return! 

Fast forward. Gigi is now happily settled with her career, healthy despite having only one kidney, and she has found a partner, Douglas, who supports her solidly and who lovingly understands her unique and time-consuming responsibilities

On the other hand, I am now a retired broadcast communication teacher at the premier university of my country, the University of the Philippines. I retired just right before the pandemic struck, so I was spared from adjusting to the challenging and demanding online teaching. As I enjoy my retirement years, I can now spend more time with my husband and apos (grandchildren). And be kinder and gentler to my donated kidney.

The last time Gigi and I were together was when she spent 2019 Christmas with family in Baguio City, Philippines, where our 91-year-old mother resides. That was the last Christmas get-together of our whole clan before the Covid 19 pandemic enveloped the whole world. Since then, we now only get to see and talk to each other through social media and have our group chat online. But now, we are a bit closer to each other as I have recently emigrated to Canada. I hope to visit her soon, or for her to visit me in my new home.

No words can describe my gratitude to my sister, my real superhero! But one thing is sure, my life would have not been extended for almost 18 years now without Gigi's kidney inside me. She undeniably gave me a new chance in life! What I am now, and how far I have lived today, is only because of God's Grace and Gigi's kidney. 

By the way, why is my kidney named Bon-G? We had our transplant operation on November 30, 2004, Bonifacio Day, a holiday to commemorate the birth of a national hero in the Philippines. My surgeon doctor, Dr. Rose Liquete, now a dear friend and the present Executive Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), named our kidneys as Bon-G 1 and Bon-G 2. Bon, short for Bonifacio, and G for Gigi. Bon-G 1 is her kidney while Bon-G 2 is mine. Now, that's miraculously two heroes in one!


In honor of my donor-hero, my sister Maria Regina Tapang