Diagnosis, Dialysis, and Donation

In January 1993, I came down with a terrible case of the flu-or so I thought. After several trips to the doctor, I was not getting better. Finally, my doctor, Sharon McQuillan, ordered some tests to check the function of my kidneys. The test results came back unusually high. She referred me to Dr. John MacLaurin. She told me, “Take your mother and pack a bag for the hospital.” I followed her instructions and after my appointment I was admitted to Doctor’s North hospital where I stayed for 9 days. I had a kidney biopsy and was diagnosed with Early Focal Glumerosclerosis-or for us common folk-a form of kidney disease. With medication and close monitoring I was able to avoid dialysis for several years.

Fast forward to fall 2003-my routine tests and blood work began coming back high so I began another round of Prednisone and started getting a weekly injection of Procrit to increase my red blood cells. By June 2004 my kidney function had decreased to 15% and Dr. Mac told me that I needed to go on dialysis. I was devastated! I just sat in the office and cried. He gave me some literature to read on the choices-hemodialysis (machine) or peritoneal (self-administered through a catheter). I had about 2 weeks to make my decision.

Right after the appointment I went to Mom’s house and told her the news-she also was devastated and we cried some more. Each time I had to tell a friend or family member I started to cry. After reading the literature and watching a video, I decided on Peritoneal Dialysis (PD). By doing PD I would still be able to work and do the treatments at home or work. So, on July 30, 2004 I had surgery to put in the catheter to do the treatments. I attended a three-day training session to teach me how to clean the catheter and how to administer the treatments four times a day. All of the medical supplies were delivered to my house and I began my first treatment on August 13, 2004.

Three weeks later on the evening of September 17, I became very ill while doing my last treatment. My husband, Kioshi, took me to the Emergency Room at Grant Medical Center and I was admitted for a serious infection called Peritonitis, which is common for that type of dialysis. I was in the hospital for three weeks and had several surgeries. During that time I began hemodialysis. After my release I continued the dialysis treatments three times a week for four hours each day. The treatments, although life-saving, were physically draining and I decided that I was going to go on medical disability when my sick leave from Columbus Public Schools was gone.

In January 2005, I began the process of getting a kidney transplant. From the beginning, my sister Jackie offered to be tested for as a possible donor. There were several tests that I needed to complete prior to that. It took most of the year for the tests to be completed and we finally went for an orientation at The Ohio State University Medical Center’s Comprehensive Transplant Center on October 20, 2005. The next day during my dialysis treatment I received the call from my sister that she was a match for kidney donation! Our surgery was scheduled for December 2!

Our surgery was a huge success and we have both since recovered fully. My sister returned to work in mid-January 2006. Although I have not returned to work, I have enjoyed my life with my new kidney. I was able to be an assistant coach on my son’s tee ball team and able to travel to Myrtle Beach with my daughter to see the ocean for the first time.

I have also used my time to learn new skills including cake decorating and have enjoyed volunteering with Lifeline of Ohio to promote organ and tissue donation.