![recipient shirt](/kidneychain/images/people/recipient_shirt.jpg)
“In 2009, I actually had a slight heart attack. After I had the heart attack, I had to go on an insulin pump. Things just started declining. I would get sick a lot. They discovered I had congestive heart failure.
“I went into the hospital for some reason or another once a year after I had the heart attack, for congestive heart failure, swelling — everything it seemed.
“On Nov. 19, 2012, I had to start dialysis. I was on dialysis for a year and three months. Thank God it wasn’t longer. I know that’s a very short time to be on dialysis before you get a kidney. The waiting list is 8-10 years. I know I’m very fortunate.
“When my doctors sent me to Birmingham to see if I could find a donor, I had my blood work and testing done. My oldest daughter went to be tested. She was a 100 percent perfect match, even down to the cellular level. But she had just had gastric bypass surgery, and they thought it would be too much on her to give up a kidney and then potentially develop kidney stones later down the line.
“My sister went to be tested, and they determined we weren’t a match. That’s when they told us about the paired kidney donation program.
“It’s an amazing program. When I told my sister about it, she thought about it for a while. I didn’t want her to feel obligated. It’s a big decision for anybody to make. After I went on dialysis, she could tell it was taking a lot out of me. It’s very draining. I couldn’t have the lifestyle I used to have. I couldn’t work. I couldn’t enjoy my family like I used to.
“I didn’t even know it, but she called UAB back and told me she wanted to do it.
“Within about a month or two they came back and told us we were set up to have surgery. And the surgery went great. I had some complications after the surgery that weren’t kidney related. I had to come in for dehydration. My body had become so accustomed to drinking 32 ounces of liquid a day that it had a hard time adjusting to 60 ounces a day.
“As far as the kidney goes, it started working in surgery. It’s been great. I haven’t had any problems with it whatsoever. I have felt better. I have more energy. I can do more things. It’s just been a blessing. It would have never happened this fast without this program at UAB.
“I tell people all of the time about the program. If I hadn’t had these problems and I had heard of this program, I would be one of the first ones on the list to give a kidney myself. Anytime you can help another person out, I think it’s the best thing to do.
“I’ve got a whole new outlook on life. It’s like I’ve been given a second chance.”