The Transplant

From then on, our son's care was provided by the University of Michigan Medical Center. His health spiraled downward quickly. On February 5, 1999, the nephrologist placed Darryl on a transplant list for the future. During June 1999, Darryl's nurse called from the University of Michigan Medical Center, and he was placed on an emergency transplant list. At the time of this telephone call, our son's labs came back stating that his creatinine was a 12.1. The emergency transplant method from the University of Michigan Medical Center implies that it is time for preparation for organ donation testing from family and friends as well as informative program meetings for kidney donor and kidney recipient. Our son installed swimming pools from May through July of 1999. In July 1999, he had a fistula placed in his left arm for dialysis, and he could not work while this surgical procedure was healing. His kidneys failed in August 1999, and he had to be placed on dialysis. When his kidneys failed, his creatinine was between a 24 through 30 and his BUN was 186. During this whole summer, my husband (Dad), Eileen (son's girlfriend), and I (Mom) were tested for organ donation. I was ruled out immediately as I did not have the same blood type as well as Darryl's sister, Julie. Eileen was a match, but Dad was the perfect match. After all the testing Dad had to go through, our son's family was ready for the transplant, and his dad was the perfect match. After all the testing Dad had to go through, our son's family was ready for the transplant, and his dad was the perfect donor. The transplantation was scheduled for September 8, 1999. Everything went as perfect as it could for a transplant. Dad was sleeping his donation off in his hospital room. Seven hours later I was waiting outside of my son's hospital room. The nurses had just brought him up from recovery, and they were moving him to his bed. The first thing I voiced, "Darryl, you have color."

My husband came home on the second day, and my son came home on the third day. For awhile after the transplant, there were ups and downs but with God's help the three of us got through it. We laughed a lot and prayed a lot. We thank God for all his blessings. Also, we were blessed with Eileen; Omega; my daughter, Julie; my son-in-law, Ramón; my grandson, Samuel; my mom and my step-father; my sister, Joann; my nieces and their families, Trish & Nancy; my nephews and their families, David and Stephen; and my sister-in-law, Pat. Additionally, blessings to our neighbors who provided care of our two dogs. God bless all of you.

I cannot write enough good things about the University of Michigan Medical Center especially the Transplant Group and the Nephrology Department. The professional people in the group and department are good, caring people. Please send an e-mail to treasuresofodie@gmail.com if you would like more information on IGA Nephropathy or just to reach me.