“If I ever have the pleasure to meet my donor’s family, I want to have pride that I am making good things happen, because without her, I would not be here.”
In July of 2017 I was fortunate enough to experience not just one, but three, miracles.
A Surprise Kidney Disease Diagnosis
A complete testimonial of my transplant experience, and the lead-up to those three miracles, begins in 2013. While in the hospital for a minor procedure, I inadvertently found out I had End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) — stage 3 kidney failure, rapidly headed to stage 4. I was totally shocked; I had no symptoms.
However, I didn't have time to falter, I had to begin dialysis immediately. At 56-years-old, I had a very active life. I traveled for work an average of three days per week as a senior executive for United Parcel Service (UPS). At the time, I was faced with adding hours of peritoneal dialysis into my already jam-packed schedule.
This was probably the most frightening thing that I had ever faced, but I tackled it head on, and continued to manage my dialysis through my retirement two years later and all the way to the summer of 2017.
It took a deep personal commitment and setting strict goals, such as adhering to my dialysis and medication routine as well as attaining and maintaining my best possible health through diet and exercise.
The Transplant Wait List
My transplant nephrologist, Dr. Mary Ann Lim, and the rest of the team kept me focused and provided comprehensive education on what I had to do to be eligible for a transplant. I had to take good care of my health to get through the evaluation — physical examinations, blood draws, lab work and stress tests. My efforts were not in vain.
In April of 2014 my pre-transplant coordinator, Cynthia Gardiner, gave me the good news: I was physically ready for a transplant. And then, the not-so-good news, the wait for a kidney could be years. She challenged me to keep focused on my health; the stronger and healthier I was at transplant, the better my outcomes.
Triple Miracle Transplant Day
I got the call on July 19th, 2017, four years after this journey had begun. There was a donor kidney that could possibly be mine.
I was #4 in line for the kidney. After all these years on the wait list, here I was again, this time waiting on a decision from the three patients ahead of me. I have to say, I wondered why anybody waiting would pass it up.
I got calls from the Penn transplant team as my "place in line" changed. At 6 pm that same day I became #3. At 10 am the next day #2.
At 2 pm on July 20th I was asked to get head to Penn Medicine as quickly as possible — the kidney was mine.
Now, I needed a miracle. I thought, how could I navigate Interstate 76 traffic and get to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia quickly? Leaving West Chester, I drove North on 202, to 76 East. I was given that miracle - zero traffic. The next call from the transplant team inquiring on my estimated arrival. When that call came, I could thankfully report that I had already arrived at Penn.
As I look back, it was a blur. After checking in, blood was drawn and forms completed, as I moved from room to room. I met my surgeon and the anesthesiologist. I recall pleasant faces saying they were going to keep me safe and take good care of me. The next thing I remembered, I woke up in a hospital room.
July 20th 2017, I'll always remember as the day of three miracles:
- A short list after a long wait. In less than 24 hours I went from #4 to #1 on the transplant wait list for this kidney.
- A quick drive on a long road. Interstate 76 East into Philadelphia at 2 pm, no traffic. I had never seen that happen in all my years on the road, and I have not seen it happen since.
- The best birthday gift ever. The day after my transplant, July 21st, I was lucky enough to get to celebrate my 60th birthday. Thanks to this new kidney, I've celebrated many more since.
Post-Kidney Transplant Recovery
My surgeon stopped by once I woke up and said there were no complications, my new kidney woke up and began functioning as soon as she connected me. She wished me well, encouraged me to be vocal about any questions or concerns, and to take loving care of my new kidney. As she was exiting, she commented that I should be up and walking around soon.
I thought, she must be joking, I just had major surgery, she wants me to walk? My post-transplant coordinator Mary Kaminski reminded of the pre-transplant evaluations, the importance of being strong and healthy as possible for better outcomes. The same applied to the healing process.
I knew what I had to do. It was time to begin walking!
Taking those first steps were the beginning of a whole new journey for me, that I am grateful to be on. Once I was fully recovered from my transplant, I rolled right back into advocacy.
Renewed Purpose Post-Transplant
I am involved with several organizations as a transplant advocate for patients. I want to relieve the stress felt by patients early in their transplant journey and share the same practical tips I received from my transplant coordinators.
If we as patients manage what is under our control, our medical professionals are better able to help provide solutions for us, resulting in the best opportunities for positive outcomes — a longer, and healthier life post-transplant.
I made a commitment to taking good care of my health. I also renewed my commitment to helping others — donating blood regularly and donating my time often. I made these commitments to honor Gwendolyn, my donor. She was just 20 years old when she died of an aneurysm.
There is a reason I am here and if I ever have the pleasure to meet her family, I want to have the pride that I am making good things happen, because without Gwendolyn, I would not be here.
I continue my volunteer and advocacy work wholeheartedly. I work with Penn Medicine on their Board of Directors and on the Patient and Family Advisory Council as well as with the Gift of Life as a transplant ambassador. I remind the patients I talk to not define themselves by their disease. I encourage them to take control of the process, to adhere to their medical regimen, to find support, take notes, ask questions and to focus achieving their best possible health.
I'm also involved with the organizations that are important to the community beyond transplant — like the West Chester NAACP, St. Paul's Baptist Church and West Chester Food Cupboard. Regardless of the volunteer focus, I believe it all comes down to people.
When you see a smile in someone's eyes and comfort in their voice, you know you've touched someone and made an impact.