Life: Pass It On
Find Us Elsewhere on the Web
  • Home
  • Organ and Tissue Donation
    • How To Become A Donor >
      • By Province/Territory >
        • Nova Scotia
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta Nunavut and NWT
        • British Columbia
        • Yukon
  • Stories
    • Donors >
      • Brad Howell
      • Taylor Storch
      • Allison Mahar
      • Amy Donohue
      • Nicole Crewe
      • Mary-Elizabeth Chaulk
      • Katelynne Fisher
      • Bobby Cox
      • Lauren Herschel
    • Recipients >
      • Canada's National Organ and Tissue Transplant Hockey Team
      • Their goal is life, and to pass it on
      • Double Lung Transplant Recipient Plays Pro Hockey
      • My Dad Is Fine
      • How Daddy Got His Energy Back
  • Membership
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Organ Grinders Fitness Club
  • Contact

The Call

5/12/2011

13 Comments

 
Picture
For the past 4 years, "The Call" always meant the phone call that I waited patiently for and eventually received at 6:12pm on August 6, 2007 -- "Mr. Umlah, we have located a potential donor for you. Please make your way to Toronto General Hospital immediately."

After 39 years and 1 day of declining lung function due to Cystic Fibrosis, at 2:00am on August 7, 2007 I received the gift of life.

I woke up 10 hours later to these words from my ICU nurse "We got you an awesome set of lungs!". From that moment, I focused not only on my recovery, but also on making my second chance at life the most fulfilling that I could make it.

The past 4 years have been extraordinary.

When I decided to go on the transplant list, my biggest goal was to have the energy to clean out the garage so that my wife and I could both fit our cars into it. I have done that and more.

However, this blog is about hockey, the game I love and the game that has shaped my life with amazing friends and support network.

I never dreamt that I would have been able to return to hockey. At 6 months post transplant, I decided I'd throw it out there to my transplant team in Toronto. I asked my Turkish transplant doctor of I could return to hockey. He said, to my surprise, "Absolutely, but wear a good chest protector." 17 seconds into my first game, I took a slapshot directly to my rebuilt sternum. I lived. We lost that game 7-1, but I felt great. I knew that my final hurdle had been cleared.

3 full seasons and over 100 games later, yesterday I received "The (Latest) Call".  It was from the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL -- "Trevor, we would be more than happy to have you at the Pro Placement Camp in September." The Jackals are long-time supporters of organ donation.

So, is this is where my road to pro hockey stardom begins? I will have turned 43 by the time I step on the ice at my first pro hockey camp. Three seasons after my former crease mate Olie Kolzig retired from the NHL after a 19-year career. I will be the same age that Gordie Howe was in 1971 when he originally retired from the NHL after nearly 1700 regular season games. He made a successful second run at a hockey career, playing 7 more seasons and retiring at the age of 52 with 2421 professional hockey games under his belt.

The clear answer is NO, I AM NO GORDIE HOWE.

I am not trying to fool myself or anyone. I will not make the Elmira Jackals. For that matter, I am never going to play even 1 game of professional hockey. However, I am not going to embarass myself or the Jackals.

What I hope to accomplish is to demonstrate the quality of life that can be achieved post-transplant while honouring my donor, and all donors.

If one person registers themselves as an organ or tissue donor because of my story; if one person who is sick and decides that transplant is for them; if someone with a loved one in the gravest of situations decides in favour of organ donation; if one kid with Cystic Fibrosis finds hope in me, my goal will be accomplished.

Over the next 16 or 17 weeks, leading up to reporting day (September 2), my blog will track my progress as I try to get in game shape. I will be entirely focused on my fitness regime this summer, even more than I have the past 3 and a half years.

Today, I am still feeling the effects, 3 days later, of playing pickup hockey with a group of skaters half my age.

I'm weighing in at 194lbs. While I am down 20 lbs from my highest weight of 214lbs (15 months post-transplant; thank you prednisone and 39 years of eating whatever I wanted), I still hope to drop 10 more and report to the Jackals camp less than 185lbs. My lung function is around 118-120% of what is considered normal. I hope to increase this by about 5%.

I will keep you up to date.
13 Comments
Dan Fraughton
5/12/2011 08:36:15 am

Excellent..... way to go Ummer

Reply
Kathy Riemann
5/12/2011 10:37:52 am

What an inspiration Trevor is! My son Harrison is 11, has CF and just started to play hockey this year. We will most definately be following his blog! Thank you so much Trevor for living large and showing others that is really is possible!

Reply
Deanna Landry
5/13/2011 12:11:14 am


Trevor,

I am so excited for you and also so happy that you are choosing to share this latest adventure, not just with close family, teammates and friends but everyone...I know you love to track stats but I don't think you can ever really know how many lives you have touched/will touch and change by sharing your story.
Thanks so much for letting us all feel like a small part of this latest journey.
Looking forward to following along as you prepare for September 2.

Deanna Landry

Reply
Maureen McVicar
5/13/2011 08:36:57 am

I have been hearing about you Trevor since your journey to transplant began, thru our mutual friend Deanna. Your strength is very amazing as is this newest chapter in your life. I'll be following your progress and wish you and your awesome lungs all the best!

Reply
Linda Watt
5/14/2011 09:06:17 am

Congrats Trevor on the invitation to play for the Jackals - you are an inspiration to me and many others. Good luck in your training and I'll be thinking of you.

Reply
Marlene Umlah
5/14/2011 11:10:17 am

Way to go Trevor, that's my boy, you were always estraordinarily special!!!

Reply
Scott Umlah
5/14/2011 11:23:08 pm

Congratulations Trevor. Give it your all. Great inspirational message! Remember, Dwayne Roloson is 41!

Reply
Jp Landry
5/16/2011 10:09:29 am

Way to go buddy!
I know for damm sure you will impress a lot of people on that team and not just because you are a double lung transplant recipient who plays hockey. But, because you are a great friend to a lot of people , an inspiration to many and a family man that is loved. However, that is all great but most importantly you are one of the finest goalies to come out of the BGHL!

I look forward to following you on this exciting journey buddy, take care.
Jp

PS: If the coaches ever ask about that good looking goalie for the Halifax Capitals "Jp Landry", tell'm I am still available: I am no longer scared of the puck, I am learning to skate and I am 175lbs....... Wait, you know what, don't tell'em my weight, they will never believe ya, so just tell'em I will play for free and I am as funny as heck in the dressing room.......You know what leave that out too, I don't even need a dressing room, I will dress at home.....

Reply
Paulette Boston
6/26/2011 08:45:15 am

Trevr:

You are truely amazing and an inspiratin to everyone! Keep doing what you are doing and you will one day be getting that old age pension: 60 is a lot closer than you think! ( I remember my grandmother saying this when I was young and I use to think: ya, sure) : the older you get the faster it goes! Been there, done that! Paulette

Reply
Plano Girls link
7/9/2012 07:38:12 am

How old is this post?

Reply
Trevor
7/26/2012 11:17:30 am

It was posted in May 2011, camp was in Sept 2011

Reply
Saskatoon Singles link
7/26/2012 11:09:24 am

Where can I find out when this was posted?

Reply
Trevor
7/26/2012 11:18:42 am

The original entry was in May 2011, camp was in Sept 2011

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Trevor Umlah

    Ice hockey goalie with a slow glove hand, gaping 5-hole, cystic fibrosis and brand new lungs. Trying out for the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL.

    Archives

    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.