Saved by the fly “Fishing on Donated Time”

Nick feels like his life is based on someone giving him an organ so he can keep living... and it is.

Did y’all know that the organ wait list is about 6 years whether it is a live donor or a deceased one? Then after the transplant has been done that there is a 50/50 chance of it lasting more than 10 years.  I’m hoping by sharing Nick’s story and need for another kidney transplant that we may find him a match and bring awareness to the dire need of donors.

"Nick was 20 when he learned about his auto immune disease and within 6 months, he lost all function of his kidney."

Nick was 20 when he learned about his auto immune disease and within 6 months, he lost all function of his kidney. He was a rough tough construction worker that was stubborn and wouldn’t stop working until his body decided it was going to nearly revolt. He found out he needed a kidney transplant, but finding a donor that was a match was proving to be difficult to him having O blood. You see O blood can give to any other blood types but they can only take O blood. Thus making finding organs harder. After running into his high school Spanish teacher several times in one week, after having not seen her for years it was an odd coincidence, or fate. Jen found out from Nick’s mother that he needed a kidney transplant so she immediately decided to go through the process. As a donor, Jen began the blood work process that December, as fate would have it, she was a match!  She then had 2 days of testing in January and February as well as a stress test. All of this was covered by Nick’s insurance. Her final step was to make the decision to move forward with the transplant which took place in June. Jen was recovered and back to work in 13 days. The transplant process made a very tight bond with both families. However, the transplant only lasted 7 years and Nick is currently still looking for another organ donor. 

"When he is on the water, he feels that it washes everything away."

Nick has been fly fishing for years, but now it is different. When he is on the water, he feels that it washes everything away. All his troubling thoughts when he feels torn apart of being a burden to his family and another donor are gone once he makes his first cast. This was where he decided to start his own side business- Saved by The Fly. He hopes to be able to help both donors and recipients that may be pre or post-transplant with gear and education of fly fishing to get out on the water. 

I’m hoping that through this blog we may be able to find him a match, even though that will be after his second open heart surgery. His first one was when he was 25. This one will take place in January 2021, hopefully, if Covid stays out of the way. After his heart surgery he will lose all kidney function and will be on dialysis daily. Of course, Nick stays strong for his wonderful wife and their son, Henry. He has all the fight, he just needs an organ. He admitted that it was hard live with the notion that his life is based on someone giving him an organ so he can keep living. During my interview with Nick, I was blown away with his drive to help others through his business, his thirst for life, the love he has for his family and friends all the while not knowing how many more days he will have. He cherishes it all, even teaching his son how to fly fish when he was 1. 

"I was blown away with his drive to help others through his business, his thirst for life, the love he has for his family and friends all the while not knowing how many more days he will have." 

Nick is looking forward to getting out on the water soon, he recently took up spey casting and he is already addicted. Up in New York he is able to fish for steelhead and has excellent fishing on the Salmon river as well as Glass Eye. 

Here is where need to ask y’all for help. It can be as small as giving Nick a follow on Instagram at Saved by the Fly, sharing his posts, sharing this blog, getting involved to be a donor or sharing uplifting comments below. Whatever y’all can do, I would be grateful for. After all, him and others that need organs deserve more time here on this Earth and we are the ones that can save lives.

Tight lines and good vibes, y’all!