SCUGOG -- Andrew Loyst, or Andy as he likes to be called, couldn't have imagined that reading the newspaper at work one day would lead to him having 70 percent of his liver and his entire gall bladder removed. During an ordinary day at his job at General Motors, the line worker went through his usual break routine of flipping through the paper, mainly focusing on the sports section, and having a bite to eat. It was a dull day in the world of sports so Mr. Loyst decided to read through the remainder of the paper and came across an article that would change his, and more importantly, someone else's life forever.
The heading of the article, 'Liver for Love', described how Gerald McDonald, a 53-year-old Toronto man, was reaching out to the public as a last resort. Mr. McDonald was in desperate need of a new liver since his deteriorated as a result of alcohol addiction.
What was touching to Mr. Loyst was that Mr. McDonald had been sober for six years and was now married to a woman whose two children were beginning to refer to him as dad.
"After reading the story at work I started to cry, wondering what I would do if I was in that situation," explained Mr. Loyst. "There he was beginning to start a family and I could feel the pain in his voice when he was basically saying I'm ready to check out. I was thinking, well not yet."
Mr. Loyst, a resident of Nestleton, recalled his blood type to be O positive and he received confirmation that in fact it would blend correctly with the O negative type of Mr. McDonald. So, he decided to donate and began to discuss with his loved ones the reality of what he was about to endure.
He recalls his daughter Anna, six, being a little concerned about the scar that would remain after the operation and his son Andrew, eight, being all for the transplant. With a great job, wonderful children and his girlfriend Candice, whom he has aspirations of marrying down the road, all to consider, Mr. Loyst never doubted that he was doing the right thing and knew in his heart that everything would work out fine.
"I kept asking myself why this is so strong in my heart to do something like this where ultimately it's going to put my life on the line," admitted Mr. Loyst, who is a devoted Christian.
"I often referred to a favorite scripture of mine, 'Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for a friend'."
After receiving the OK for time off from work for the surgery, he took a paid leave and went through with the transplant at the Toronto General Hospital on Monday May 14, 2007. The entire process took a little more than five hours and when all was said and done Mr. Loyst had 70 per cent of his liver removed along with his gall bladder.
Over a period of a few months his liver will regenerate, which he says would have made his decision easier had he known earlier, and the gall bladder is not needed and removed in most similar operations.
Mr. McDonald responded extremely well and left the hospital seven days after receiving his new liver while Mr. Loyst hit a small bump in the road, suffering a blood clot, keeping him in hospital for eight days.
"To know he got out of there a day before I did with no complications whatsoever, with a second chance on life, is just an indescribable feeling," remarked the organ donor. "My biggest disappointment was getting out a bit late and missing Sunday service at Victory Christian Center in Port Perry."
Currently, Mr. Loyst is recuperating at home with his loved ones, making his scheduled follow-up appointments to the hospital and itching to get back to work.
One remarkable part of this young man's story is he has yet to come face to face with the man who he is responsible for keeping alive.
"I would one day like to meet him away from the newspapers and all that stuff for a coffee to see what he's like," said Mr. Loyst, with a smile.