'I was able to live through it'

The Christmas tree and decorations are staying up in the Eastburn home until husband and father, William, is released from Shands Hospital after recovering from his third kidney transplant and two emergency surgeries.

"Just by the grace of God, I was able to live through it," William Eastburn said Thursday by phone from the Gainesville hospital.

The 38-year-old occupational therapist is now receiving physical therapy himself.

"I'm used to helping people and now I can barely help myself," he said.

After being hospitalized for three and a half weeks, including six days on life support, William said he may be able to go home in a month.

"I'm getting there; I'm getting stronger," he said. "I've been able to cope because I have a great wife. She really is my rock."

Lisa Eastburn described her husband of 17 years as "a fighter for a long time." Enduring a number of medical issues over the years, he has persevered through everything.

First diagnosed with kidney disease at 8 years of age, William had his first kidney transplant when he was 9. After two years, the organ failed, so he had a second transplant. His mother was the donor.

That kidney was healthy for 22 years, but William was put on kidney transplant waiting list three years ago.

Because her husband had a couple of transplants and a lot of blood transfusions, doctors thought it would be a long time before he got a kidney, Lisa said.

So after three years of thrice weekly dialysis treatments, Lisa and William were excited when they got the call about a donor.

William returned to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where he had his previous transplants, for his third kidney transplant on Nov. 18.

At a scheduled follow-up appointment at Shands on Dec. 14, doctors said William was doing great. But a few hours later he started to experience abdominal pain, and after returning to Sebring that day, he was transported back to Shands that night.

Somehow his intestines had twisted and tied off, causing a loss of blood supply and oxygen to the area, Lisa said.

After four hours of surgery, doctors prepared Lisa for the worst case scenario: William could die.

He was on life support for six days - Dec. 15 - 20.

"It was horrible for everybody," Lisa remembered. "I heard everyday that he was in critical condition and they weren't sure if he was going to make it."

Then four days after being off life support, his intestines ruptured again, which required another four-hour surgery.

"He came out really in bad shape again and the doctor said it was a miracle that he lasted the first time," Lisa said. "They were holding out hope, of course, for the second time."

Following doctors' recommendations, their two daughters, Aaliya, 12, and Brielle, 10, were brought up to the hospital to visit their father just in case, Lisa recalled, her voice shakingat the memory.

But as he has done over the years, her husband remained positive, she said.

William was moved out of the intensive care unit Tuesday.

"He's not in that critical mode anymore, thank God; he's just serious," Lisa said.

His survival story not only includes the transplants, Lisa said, in 1995, William had a massive stroke that left him legally blind.

After the stroke, he attended the University of Florida where he studied for his present occupation.

"This kid is a fighter; he's amazing," Lisa said.

From the hospital William said, "I've never been this weak in my life."

Coughing occasionally, with a weakened voice, but firm spirit, he said, "I'm anxious to get stronger. It's a long process back."