CLEVELAND — As he prepared to depart University Hospitals one week after undergoing a successful liver transplant, Bernie Kosar told reporters that just 10 weeks ago, he didn't think he'd make it to his 62nd birthday, which he'll celebrate tomorrow.
"I feel like I'm a walking miracle," he said.
Speaking for about 20 minutes, Kosar was alternately thankful, humorous, sage, and motivational, leaning on his background as a professional athlete to describe his journey.
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The Browns legend was joined by his surgeon, Dr. Zoe Stewart, and the president of UH Cleveland Medical Center, Stathis Antoniades, to address the media before heading home.
Stewart has been caring for Kosar for the last year and a half, and she called Kosar a model patient in spite of setbacks. Before last week's transplant, Kosar was admitted twice but was unable to receive a donor organ, which she said is common. She called the week of internal bleeding that preceded the successful transplant "life-threatening."
"Like many of our patients, the road to transplant was filled with many bumps," she said.
Stewart noted Kosar's resiliency, saying he was the rare patient who was able to have his breathing tube removed immediately. A week later, he was climbing flights of stairs.
Kosar called Stewart's skill "artistic."
"Three months ago, 10 weeks ago, the realistic side of me said there was no way I should be alive," Kosar said.
He said he kept the public apprised of his journey because it was therapeutic for him, and it was the easiest way to keep in touch with family, friends and fans.
"I can't return all the calls and texts," he said with a laugh.
After his surgery last week, Kosar told New 5's John Kosich that he's been overwhelmed by an outpouring of love and support.
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Last week, Kosar alluded to a donor, but on Monday, he specifically named and thanked Bryce Dunlap, the 21-year-old he believes was the donor.
"Rest assured, that's something that's never going to be forgotten," Kosar said. "Absolutely, when you say it lives within me, it genuinely lives within me. I heard Kimberly, the awesome mother, say I have a second mother.
"We're going to do special things together."
Moving forward, Kosar will have a weekly check-in with Stewart's team and regular testing.
In the meantime, he'll be celebrating Thanksgiving at home with his family.
