Burns Lake resident Mark Martens said he is “feeling good” after receiving a long-waited liver transplant earlier this year.
Martens was able to return to the comfort of his own home last month after spending months in the Lower Mainland while he waited for a liver transplant and then recovered from the surgery.
“I was so sick before the transplant, so I didn’t really know what was going on; and it took me a while after the transplant to finally process everything,” he described. “I had to learn how to eat again because I had stopped eating.”
“I feel good now,” he continued. “I’m surprised at how good you feel so soon after.”
The 43-year-old was first diagnosed with a liver disease approximately 20 years ago. At that time, doctors said he would need a transplant within eight years.
“Mark defied the odds with his positive attitude and lifestyle and managed to get an extra 12 years from his liver,” said his wife Brandy Martens. “The last 20 years have been filled with ups and downs due to his illness.”
Mark said he was not able to receive a liver any time sooner because he “wasn’t sick enough.” He had a sudden decline in his health last fall, and was admitted into the Vancouver General Hospital last February.
Although Mark does not know exactly where his new liver came from, he said he’s immensely grateful to the donor.
“Donors never know who they are going to help,” he said. “Without my donor, I wouldn’t be here today.”
The father-of-two said he’s been encouraged by the amount of support he has received from family, friends and acquaintances in Burns Lake.
“People supported us in every way - calling, texting, visiting, asking what they could do, helping with my family… [it helped] just knowing that everybody was thinking about us, praying for us.”
A Go Fund Me campaign to help the family cover some of the costs associated with their stay in Vancouver raised over $16,000. An account was also set up at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union.
But more importantly, Mark said that if it wasn’t for his wife Brandy he probably wouldn’t be alive today.
“She fought for me the whole way,” he said. “You have to fight for yourself when you’re in the hospital, and Brandy did, she really helped me out when I couldn’t help myself.”
Mark, who had been working as a millwright at Decker Lake Forest Products, hopes to start working again once he is fully recovered.
“I liked what I was doing,” he said. “As soon as my resistance levels come back a bit, I hope to go back to work.”
Mark stressed the importance of registering as an organ donor.
“If you’re interested in saving a life, register to be an organ donor,” he said. “It’s a gift of life.”
For more information about organ donation or how to become a registered donor, visit http://www.transplant.bc.ca/.