February 5, 2023
It’s a mild winter day. The bottom of the air warms up a little. Frédéric feeds a fire sheltered from the wind in a beautifully decorated refuge, set up in the heart of his land. Around the fire, benches of cars…covered with large blankets. Water is heating inside. He will offer hot chocolate to Judith and Thierry, who are regarding to arrive. Two months following the transplant, they will see each other for the first time.
Slowly, Judith travels some 200 meters on a snowy path to join Frédéric. She admits in passing that her doctor told her that she had done too much by wanting to resume her activities too quickly.week, it’s better”,”text”:”But for a week, it’s better”}}”>But for a week, it’s been bettershe says.
At the end of the path, Frédéric is waiting for him, Marilyn by his side. Quite naturally, Frédéric advances towards Judith to take her in his arms, but the embraces will still have to wait. Judith must keep her distance. As she is now immunosuppressed, it is too early to have close contact. Nevertheless, the smiles are sincere and speak for themselves.
The two couples sit around the fire. Despite the intensity of what they have been through, they know little regarding each other. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable
launches Judith immediately, but she wants to tell him how much he has changed his life. I became myself once more, I started to make plans once more, I think regarding my return to work. I want to travel and it’s thanks to you. It’s crazy! It’s screwed up!
Frédéric listens to her talk regarding her plan to have a child.ofmonths”,”text”:”We can try in ten months”}}”>We can try in regarding ten months, she says, looking at Thierry, who smiles back at her. Frédéric speaks little, but his eyes say a lot. He is happy for her. That was the goal. I am happy.
He recovered well from the operation. I spent time with Judith.
This is how he sees his gesture while being aware that he has changed the life of a woman.
« It’s a bit like a stranger who saved my life. Now I’m much more relaxed, because I don’t need to look for someone to survive. »
It was not much to allow you this
, replies Frederic. He agreed to participate in this report to testify to the relative ease with which he went through the process from hospital appointments to the transplant and then to his recovery. If it can inspire others to do so…
he pleads.
Judith thinks of all the people who are waiting for a kidney. She campaigns for Quebec to adopt the principle of presumed consent to organ and tissue donation. All deceased persons would be considered potential organ and tissue donors, unless they did not specifically consent. Frédéric is ready to help her.
Judith and Frédéric have developed a bond through the experience of the last few months.Photo: Radio-Canada / Yoann Dénécé
What will happen to their relationship?
Judith would like, if possible, to keep a link with her donor. I don’t want to exceed the place he wants to give me either.
Whatever happens next, she is happy to carry Frédéric’s kidney, because he is a good person
.
Frédéric does not close the door to this new friendship. As proof, following the followingnoon spent around the fire, the two couples will share a good meal. An evening of board games is already planned. Frédéric likes to play. That’s good, because Judith also enjoys it. Boxes of games are stacked in a cupboard in the kitchen.
And there’s this piano leaning once morest a wall in the dining room. Frédéric started playing it a year ago. I was tempted to learn
, just like that, he said. Strangely, almost at the same time, Judith also bought a piano. I wanted to see if I was going to like it
, she said, shrugging her shoulders. The coincidence makes you smile. An intangible and fascinating bond was already being woven to the rhythm of the music… Rock on.
