Power Player – Jeff

In 1992, I found out that I was only born with one kidney. In 2000, I started having issues with the kidney and was seeing a nephrologist. As time went on, the kidney developed cysts which were causing some issues with elevated B/P and protein output. January of 2017 arrived with creatinine levels rising and my doctor suggesting dialysis. I put it off thinking I can make it better with diet changes and more exercise. That helped a little bit, but wasn’t making the kidney any better.

In June of 2017, I visited the Transplant Clinic in Rochester, NY at UR Strong Memorial Hospital. They sent me for testing and was placed on the list for a kidney transplant. At that time, my wife decided to be tested to see if she was a match. She went through her testing in October of 2017. In December of 2017, after the Transplant Committee met, it was decided that she was a match and in excellent health to donate one of her kidneys. The date was set for February 6th, 2018. Three and a half days later, I walked out of the hospital with a new kidney and a Hero of a wife. My kidney doctors said that if it had gone on much longer without dialysis, I would have certainly died within a month. So, today, I am living a great life, full of travel, off-road trail riding on ATVs, and continuing to help my community as a volunteer firefighter/EMT. My wife will always be a hero to me, as are all who donate, whether living or deceased donors.