A DONOR'S STORY

by Debbie Dupree

After three years on dialysis, my brother Ed needed a kidney; everybody in the family volunteered to donate. Our entire family sent the required blood samples to the University of Minnesota for testing, where the operation would take place if one of us proved to be a compatible donor. Our parents were ruled out because of age, so it was narrowed down to Jim (my second brother), or myself.

Ed's doctor called me at my office to tell me I had been chosen. My blood tissue was a good match with Ed's and if I were willing to be the donor, he would not have to undergo the removal of his spleen prior to the transplantation. (Editor's Note: Splenectomies are no longer needed for transplantation.) I told Ed's doctor that he could count on me.

A battery of tests was needed to determine my good health and the compatibility of our kidneys. Our kidneys turned out to be a perfect "four antigen" match! The University of Missouri Hospital did the pretesting. They were very cooperative, working with and around my own work schedule. Since my sick leave was limited, I had the testing done as an outpatient.

I was fortunate that my work was within walking distance of the clinic, and that my supervisor was extremely understanding and cooperative. I'd like to say here how much I appreciate the thoughtfulness and consideration my employers showed me at that time. I worked with the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and everyone was concerned about me, and worked with me to make the organ transplant possible. They helped me obtain the necessary leave time, and were very supportive.

The tests, neither complicated nor painful, consisted mostly of bloodwork, urine tests, and a few x-rays. I spent about 12 to 16 hours as an outpatient. My husband's employers, considerate and understanding, allowed him to take as much time off as was necessary.

In May 1983, the time finally came for us to make the 500-mile trip to Minnesota. We were impressed when we got there. Minneapolis and St. Paul are beautiful cities and the University Hospital (now Fairview University Medical Center) is huge, but the staff was warm and friendly. They did everything they could to make us comfortable.

All of my test results had been sent to Minneapolis, but there was one more test needed--the angiogram to determine which of my kidneys they would use. I must say this was the most painful test of them all. But, praise the Lord, it didn't last long.

Then it was discovered that Ed's white blood count was too low for surgery, and I was released from the hospital. We all returned home to wait. It seemed like a long wait because I had been ready and anxious to get the transplant over. It must have seemed even longer for my brother.

Three months later, in August, we were ready to go again. This time my son, who was ten years old at the time, was out of school and went with us. My daughter, seven, stayed with her granddad while we were gone.

We were admitted into the University of Minnesota Transplant Center and the routine preparation was done. I felt very relieved that everything was ready and that the next morning would be the big day. It's difficult to express how I felt the night before surgery. I don't like being in hospitals, and the idea of being cut on didn't thrill me. I thought of my brother-- it would be harder for him because he was not healthy. I had concerns about the success of the transplant, and I worried about how my brother would feel if the kidney didn't "take." But, success or failure, Ed deserved the chance. I had faith that God was with us in this, and that He was in control. My family, friends, and many church congregations had been praying, and continued to pray, for the complete success of the transplant and for God's peace to be with us. That night I felt the peace of God and was ready for the next day.

We were in surgery for four to five hours. I don't remember much of that first day, except waking now and then and seeing that my family was there. As I gained consciousness, I felt the pain from the incision and the muscles around it. I discovered muscles I had never been aware of before. It was agony to move and especially to cough or sneeze.

The doctor told me I'd be in the hospital seven to ten days after the surgery, but I recovered quickly and was released after only four days.

The drive home from Minnesota stands out in my memory as one of the roughest parts of the entire ordeal. I had four pillows surrounding me in the car to help cushion me from the bumps and jolts, but it was an exhausting trip to say the least.

I felt like an invalid for the first week at home. I couldn't lift over ten pounds, I could barely get out of a chair by myself, and I couldn't get out of bed by myself. Our waterbed created quite a problem. Since there is nothing solid on a waterbed to push or pull on, I found myself marooned in bed more than once. One time I was stuck in bed half a day until someone came home to rescue me!

Gradually, faster than I had expected, I was able to get around and do for myself. I could have gone back to work four weeks after the transplant but didn't until after six weeks, at which time the only physical evidence of the transplant was a numbness around the incision site.

There have been no problems since. Now, after almost 15 years, I'm feeling just fine. I just never think about it. My one remaining kidney does perfectly well.

If you are in need of a kidney and there is a possibility to receive one from a living related donor, don't be afraid to ask. If you are related to someone in need of a kidney and you have two healthy ones of your own, don't be afraid to offer this gift of life. It is not traumatic. The time and discomfort involved are minimal compared to the physical and spiritual lift experienced by donor and recipient.

I honestly do not miss the kidney I gave away. Neither my life nor my health has been changed, but my brother's has. Because of a kidney that I didn't need and don't miss, he is a productive person again.

Postscript from Ed Bryant:

I have felt great ever since having a kidney transplant. I would be remiss if I did not use this opportunity to say I will be eternally grateful to my sister. I simply want to convey the feeling of love I have for her. I strongly recommend that all people with renal failure consider a kidney transplant. The National Kidney Foundation is correct when they say the kidney is the "Gift of Life."

As Debbie has already stated, neither her life nor her health has changed since her generous gift to me, except that on March 3, 1986, she gave birth to Daniela Ann Dupree, a beautiful, healthy baby, 20 inches long and weighing in at 6 lbs., 14 oz.; and on October 10, 1989, to Jesse Aaron Dupree, 19-1/2 inches long, 7 lbs., 5 oz.