Former Navy SEAL Jeffrey Pruitt has always considered himself a creative person, enjoying long walks and liking to stay busy until his body forces him to slow down.

He was suffering from severe headaches, so he decided to see a doctor at the local Veterans Affairs hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan. After tests, doctors told Pruitt he had end-stage renal failure and would be incapacitated within six months. Pruitt saw this as an eye-opening moment and kept his diagnosis private for the next five years.

Jeffrey Pruitt’s diagnosis

“I remember waking up. I knew the pain was coming, but there was nothing I could do about it. All I did was wait a few seconds. ,” the Navy veteran said. “I never felt sorry for myself. I never complained. I didn’t do any research on my illness.” He explained the thought process behind his ignorance. I will explain. What you think, you bring. That’s when Pruitt chose to approach diagnosis differently. “I didn’t acknowledge my illness. I just lived with it and followed the doctor’s instructions to not let it consume me,” Pruitt said. I didn’t want to burden myself with the unnecessary stress that comes with being alone in the quiet and darkness. ” It’s not always easy, but researchers strongly recommend positive thinking, which can help reduce stress, extend your lifespan, lower your risk of heart disease, and more.

With a new mindset, Pruitt began spending more time getting creative to adapt to the new normal. Pruitt has dabbled in various forms of art, from painting to music, to get through her tough days. Pruitt’s artistic style is a transformation of his personal struggles, channeling his pain into his fascinating and vibrant works. “If it wasn’t for that pain, I wouldn’t be here,” Pruitt said.

transplant journey

After five years of dialysis and frequent hospitalizations, I finally asked for a new kidney. He was referred to Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center by the Iron Mountain Veterans Administration, and once he arrived, the transplant team immediately got to work preparing him in the preparation room and transporting him to surgery, Dr. Pruitt said. The next thing she knew, Pruitt was awake and a team of nurses and doctors told her to walk around. Although it was one of the hardest things he said he had to do, Pruitt will never forget how careful the team was.

create your own family

Pruitt credited the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center (ICVAMC) transplant team for keeping him alive today, saying he was “thrilled” for them. After the surgery, he was transferred to a nearby hotel where staff could take him to the hospital and help him adjust to his new routine as he recovers. This is typical practice for transplant patients to continue top-notch care. Outside the recovery room. “The post-transplant team is phenomenal. They keep you alive and make sure you’re taking your medications,” Pruitt recalled. “Because of that team, I owe a debt I’ll never be able to repay. Thanks to them, I can breathe. I never knew I could paint this deep and this fast until I had the transplant.” ” He talks about the team as if they were friends who met every week for dinner and swapped stories. Thanks to his new kidney, they were connected.

“I looked for a reason to complain,” Pruitt said. “But the hospital overall is a great place. The staff, from top to bottom, are great human beings who have dedicated their lives to serving and helping veterans.”

Pruitt said veterans choose Iowa City because its culture is different from other hospitals and clinics, calling the experience a humbling gift and leaving each visitor with a message of hope. He says the same thing on his own website. He has had end-stage renal disease for years, is on dialysis, and visits the hospital frequently. One day, he receives a call for an organ transplant. I’m sure a new life has begun. Over time, you realize that things are actually very different. He can see the vibrancy and intensity of colors as if he were breathing, and he can compose music as if it were coming out of thin air. He can see color and music in the same vein, understanding layers and intricacies previously unthinkable. Welcome to my world. ”

your influence

When faced with a life-threatening diagnosis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. For people like Pruitt, the transplant team, medical staff and donors provided hope and a second chance at life. Pruitt’s newfound appreciation for life and ability to transform adversity into colorful, mesmerizing art is nothing short of inspiring. This year’s Giving Life Month theme, “Donors Are Superstars,” reminds us that each of us has the power to make a difference. By becoming a donor, you can give people like Pruitt a second chance at life, a chance to create, inspire and impact. Imagine how, by becoming a donor, we can shine a light in these dark times.