This, too, is a good essay of a slightly different type.

Not bad.

I had a friend a few years ago who needed a kidney, and I offered to donate to him but he already had someone lined up. I later learned, after he was on dialysis, that his donor had backed out. By this time, I hardly ever heard from my friend; he had withdrawn in the same way the author describes other people's reactions to dialysis in this article.

And it reminded me that I need to call him, to find out how he is, to see if he has ever gotten that kidney transplant. My mother only has one functional kidney, and he had told me back then that I should keep both of mine in case she ever needed one. Still, I never realized how terrible dialysis was until reading this essay.

(Very good, btw)

I think I'll call my friend today and see how he is.

Fascinating also to read about the "Tyrrany of the Gift".

Thanks for this. I'm being a whiny brat this morning, and this gave me some perspective. Forwarding to friends and family.