Lynchburg's
Organ Transplant
Organ Transplant
Support Group
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Lynchburg's
Organ Transplant Support Group |
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My Story by Delnora Johnson
I developed kidney problems at
the age of nine and was eventually diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis. In
1978 I developed a cough that would not go away. I had fluid on my lungs because
I was in heart and kidney failure. I had a brother die from kidney failure. I
ended up in Intensive Care and on Peritoneal Dialysis. Back then the dialysis
was done with a cyclermachine for 72 hours straight. I would check into
the hospital for a three day stretch and have my dialysis. I was a newlywed when
I started my dialysis. I had been married just eight months. The separation was
very hard on me, but my family came to visit as much as they could. They'd bring
me food and the nurses would, on occasion, let them stay past visiting hours. In
dialysis, the hours dragged by very slowly, but I would crochet and talk with
the nurses. The Peritoneal Dialysis continued for six
months. In May of 1979, I had a kidney transplant at the University of Virginia
Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. The kidney came from my brother Kenneth. He was
a a four antigen match. After the surgery I had many problems, including
rejection three times, high blood pressure and seizures. I was in the hospital
for 40 days.
In 1982 I became
pregnant. I did not think I could have children because of the transplant. In
fact, some of my doctors said it was too risky and wanted me to have an
abortion. They said I might lose my baby and my new kidney. Other doctors said
it could be done and I would have a healthy baby and be okay. The conflicting
opinions caused me some concern. My husband and I were scared but we decided to
trust God and go on with the pregnancy. I did fine and delivered a healthy, full
term, seven pound baby boy by c-section. He was just the third baby born to a
transplant recipient at the University of Virginia Hospital. One of my
kidney doctors, Dr. Giles said, "one kidney transplant equals three working
kidneys." Today that baby boy, William T. Johnson IV, is 16 years old and
in the eleventh grade.
Over
the years I have had some complications, but my brother's kidney is
doing just fine. The high doses of prednisone have deteriorated my hip
bones.Patients transplanted in the late seventies and early eighties were placed
on high doses of prednisone because cyclosporine was not on the market. I am now
on 25 mg. of prednisone every other day and 150 mg. of imuran every day. I have
had each hip replaced twice and will undergo a fifth hip replacement this
month(September). Since the transplant I have developed diabetes and now take
insulin. I have also had cataracts removed from both eyes.
But here I am 19 years after my transplant. I
have the same kidney my brother gave me and it is still working fine. My
creatinine is 1.4. I am a busy mom. and wife, in addition to my part time job. I
am also active in TLC (Transplants Living to Care) in Lynchburg, Va. My miracle
baby is bigger and taller than I am. He plays high school football and is
doing great.
The transplant
has made a big difference in my life. It has allowed me to live a life free from
dialysis and to have a child I never thought I could have. It hasn't been easy,
but I have been lucky to have the support of my husband, my family, and good
doctors and nurses. I have much to be thankful for. The doctors, nurses, family
and friends were all so supportive. I do not know what I would have done
without them. Thank God for all of them.
(Editors note: Delnora is ,at this writing, in Virginia Baptist
Hospital in Lynchburg. In the hip replacement operation a bone was broken in her
hip. Now Delnora faces about 2 months of healing and rehabilitation. Please
remember this kind and gentle woman in your prayers..)
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