TRANSPLANT PATIENTS SPEAK

The following individuals are the "real" experts. They live with their kidney transplants, and collectively, they have almost 140 years experience doing so! All of them would choose a transplant again. Although kidney transplantation is not for everyone, and sometimes it doesn't work, it should be given strong consideration.

Eivind Frost, from Montana, received a cadaver kidney on April 24, 1973, at University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis (now Fairview-University Medical Center), and is doing fine. He tells us, "I've been feeling great for 25 years now."

Ken Carstens, from Minnesota, who also received his kidney transplant at University of Minnesota Hospital, on September 10, 1975, states, "It's been 23 years now, and I'd make the same choice again."

Karen Mayry, from South Dakota, received her kidney transplant at University of Minnesota Hospital, on January 12, 1977. She declares, "I feel great!"

Betty Walker, from Missouri, received her transplant on July 13, 1978, at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. In her words: "I was just existing on dialysis; and my transplant gave life back to me."

Lenny Ruygt, from California, received her kidney at Presbyterian Hospital (now Pacific Medical Center), in San Francisco, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1980. She says: "On dialysis, I had no energy at all--I would sleep all but two hours of a day. After my transplant, I felt energized!"

Linda Bingham, from Ohio, who received a dual transplant (kidney and pancreas) at University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 10, 1981, says, "I feel great. I have been given a whole new life."

Ed Bryant, from Missouri, received his transplant on August 9, 1983, at University of Minnesota Hospital. He says: "There is no comparison between life on dialysis, and how I've felt since my transplant."