Kidney Recipient

Pat Thompson

My story is unique because on June 5, 2002 I will celebrate 30 years of having had a kidney transplant. My donor was a four-year-old boy who passed away from a brain tumor at the University of Michigan Hospital. Back then transplant technology was very new and very different. Only kidneys were transplanted and without immunosuppressant drugs, such as Cyclosporin, chances were not as high for a successful outcome.

When I was 12 years old I was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis and I remained chronic for many years. I lived a fairly normal life as a teen-ager and upon graduating from high school I entered the University of Michigan's nursing school. I married a fellow University of Michigan dental student and was busy putting him through school when my condition suddenly deteriorated and I found myself on dialysis. At that time, only a mother, a father, or a sibling were considered for live donors and none of my family were a match. I had to go on the waiting list for a cadaver donor. The day that I received the phone call that a kidney had become available was one of mixed blessings, in order for me to live another family had to go through the anguish of losing someone dear to them. Today, I counsel new patients on how to deal with this troublesome dilemma.

I progressed very well following my surgery. Even though the length of my hospital stay was almost two months, compared to a few days today, I returned home to try to get my life back to as normal as possible.

Two years after my transplant I looked into the possibility of having a baby. My doctor and I spent hours at the University of Michigan's medical library researching articles. I found that it had been done successfully a few times and my husband and I decided to go for it! On July 15, 1974 our beautiful son Brian Nathaniel was born. Both he and I did fine and, once again, I made history in Michigan. Brian continues to be the joy of my husband and my lives. He is 27 years old and he is happy, healthy, and working which we are all grateful for!

Over the past 30 years, life with a kidney transplant has not been without its problems. I have had to take anti-rejection medications the entire time, which has resulted in some problems, some of which are minor and some that have been serious in nature. I have had breast cancer, cataracts in both eyes, ulcers, anemia, and skin cancers. All of these things have been manageable, yet have been cause for concern. I make sure that when I give speeches or talk with other patients that I am careful to accentuate the positive side of transplantation. I always say that no matter what these side affects are, they are certainly better than the alternative.

I am often asked how I have coped through all of these years. I have a theory and it involves what I refer to as the five "Fs":

Faith: We could not have managed without our faith in God and the love and support of our church.

Family: My family is very close and we always rely on each other when the going gets tough.

Friends: This category goes along with family, as my friends are like family to me. They have helped to make this journey very easy for me and I love them dearly.

Flowers: My hobby is my beautiful perennial garden and I am never happier than when I am digging in the dirt and feeling my hands in the soil with the sun in my face. What a blessing!

Finally, Michigan Football: We have been season ticket holders since our college days and nothing gives me greater satisfaction than seeing my beloved Wolverines sing "Hail to the Victors" after a big Michigan win!

I hope my story will benefit those who are going through the transplant process -- both pre- and post-op. My philosophy is that I will keep blazing the trail and you just keep following me!