Stephanie

What is your city / state and country of residence?

Champaign, Illinois
USA

How are you touched by transplantation?

I am a Recipient

If you are a recipient, what type of transplant did you receive?

Kidney

Recipients: In this space, feel free to list those you are grateful to for receiving the Gift of LIfe:

My older brother Doug! He donated me his kidney in November 2002.

If you are a recipient, what type of donor did you receive your Gift of Life from?

Living Donor

What is your principal transplant med(s)?

Prednisone and Plaquinel

What is your hospital and, or doctor's name, city / state and country?

University of Chicago 2002-2003
Barnes Jewish/Washington Medical 2003 to present

If you are on the transplant waiting list, what type of transplant are you waiting for?

Kidney

If you are on the transplant waiting list, please use this space to write about your experience:

I had my first transplant from my brother in 2002. In 2005 I got sick from too much stress and my fistula started growing again causing cardiac overload. After it was removed in 2006 after some complications, I was left with only 20% kidney function in my "new" kidney. So the process began again to get back on the waiting list and I made it March 2008.

What do you do for a living?

Part Time Admin. Asst. at Windsor Road Christian Church

About Me: Please use this space to tell the community about yourself and your unique experience with transplantation:

I think everyone's story is unique in some way. We all go through different struggles but are able to relate to others through our varied experiences. I have been blessed to be apart of Team Illinois with the Transplant Games and am looking forward to representing Team USA!
My story began in 1986 when I developed a "mysterious rash" from swimming all the time and being baked in the sun. I was diagnosed with discoid lupus in the fall and my future swimming plans were scrapped because I could no longer go out in the sun. My disease progressed into systemic affecting my blood, joints, liver, stomach and kidneys. By 1995 I had kidney disease and began treatments like imuran, cellcept and large doses of prednisone. The lupus was scarring my kidneys down. In 2001 I started the process to get on the waiting list and my family was tested. My dad and I weren't a match and my mom was, but because of high blood pressure she wasn't a candidate. My brother tested and we were a perfect match! I then had some complications getting ready for surgery and had to have a hysterectomy and 2 fistula surgeries. My brother had some borderline blood pressure issues and had to lay off exercising for a few months too. In June of 2002 we were all set and I had a kidney biopsy to see if there was any treatment to be done to prolong the kidney function I had left. The biopsy pierced a blood vessel inside the kidney and the outside healed over it causing the blood to fill up in my bladder and back up into my kidney. The doctors wouldn't do a CAT scan even though I was in horrible pain because there was no bruising apparent under my skin. They sent me home and the next day I couldn't go to the bathroom because my ureter was clogged with blood. I went to the ER and the $%^^% hit the fan. My kidneys failed and they had to plunge my bladder with what looked like a turkey baster! I spent 3 weeks in the hospital before they tried an angiogram to cauterize the bleeding vessel. After that I went on dialysis. My brother and I had to re-do all our cross matching because of all my transfusions and we got the clear for late September. On Labor Day he went for a bike ride and was run over by a drunk driver (at noon). He had a broken clavical and scapula but no internal injuries. It was so stressful and I found out on dialysis so I was "tied" up and couldn't go be with him. Our surgery was then moved to November and on November 18, 2002 I had my last dialysis and November 19th I was given a second chance at life because of my big brother!!!

The saga continues as I am now back on the waiting list for another kidney and we just pray the ones I have hang in there! The Games have been such a huge therapy for me and my family dealing with this kind of lifestyle. I love swimming and to be able to be apart of this is so wonderful!

Please help us reach other members by telling us how you found Transplant Cafe:

NKFI website

What is your relationship status?

Single

My Personal (non-commercial) Website, Page, or Blog URL:

http://www.stefswimz.webs.com