From One Hendricks County Resident to Another
Writer / Gary Sinclair
Photography Provided
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? I’m betting that it took mere seconds for you to come up with your answer. Why? Because that gift in some way left a deep imprint on your heart and mind that you will stay with for the rest of your life. It doesn’t matter how big or small it was, its impact has fundamentally changed you for good.
I recently got such a gift that I want to tell you about.
I have had kidney disease for 20 years or more. For most of that time the disease was a minor issue that doctors regularly called the ‘high side of normal.’ They’d keep an eye on my creatinine, the waste given off by healthy kidneys. If the creatinine goes higher than normal, the kidneys may be diseased and need further treatment.
But I still thought all was well because I felt okay and that bad things tend to happen more to others than me.
About six years ago my levels, including my kidney functioning efficiency (GFR), began to head in the wrong direction. With the guidance of several doctors, including a nephrologist, it was evident that unless there was a major change or miracle I was headed for dialysis.
Initiating a rigorous diet plan, new medications and regular check-ups, my medical team urged me this past year to start a donor search to avoid the challenges and limitations of dialysis. The long search process, however, involves extensive testing to find a person who would be a complete match. It’s not an easy task.
Nonetheless, having a live donor, especially one related to you, is ideal and usually provides the best results.
Within days, one of our family members offered to be tested. Everyone was thrilled though no one was surprised of course. Family helps family when they can. The process went beautifully until a complication during the last stage made donating too great a risk so this relative was rejected by the approval committee.
With no backup plan, Jackie and I began to work toward a national listing option where those who have agreed to donate their organs when they pass away are compiled. Unfortunately, to be chosen through the national listing averages four to six years. I might not be healthy enough for a transplant then and would without question be on dialysis until the kidney was available.
We, and others, started praying even more diligently for wisdom and maybe a miraculous answer.
That’s when Annette Brown re-entered our world. Annette, a Brownsburg resident like us, is an active, working mom and wife who loves to serve others. We hadn’t connected much with her and her husband Pete of late, but for a couple of years we all attended Ben Davis Christian Church in Indianapolis. Pete and I often played as part of their worship team.
Ironically, Annette has her own kidney story which started years ago when her mother received a kidney from a close relative. That special gift added years and quality to her mom’s life.
As a result, Annette had always wanted to give back if she could. One day, she saw a Facebook post about someone who needed a kidney. The person involved also caught her attention. Me.
We had returned to Connection Pointe Church after moving to Brownsburg, so our paths no longer crossed. Nonetheless, when Annette saw our post, she knew she was going to apply. Her mom’s story and family’s vibrant faith in God urged them on with a confidence that taking this step was wise though sacrificial.
Annette began the long process of match testing. Transplant donors endure a series of multi-faceted tests, interviews, doctor visits and forms. Of course, there is a physical exam, but the candidate’s emotional and psychological well-being are also considered. Thankfully, she passed every stage.
We soon heard from Annette that she was a near-perfect match, and the surgery was done at IU Hospital in Indianapolis on December 14th. Two outstanding surgeons, Dr. William Goggins (mine) and Dr. Chandru Sundaram (Annette’s) performed the transfer which went fine for both of us.
Major surgeries always require some painful healing time, but Annette was able to return home in two days. I stayed through Monday due to the more complicated surgery and having to adjust to the new kidney.
Family members, some who lived out of state, began to help by sitting with family at the hospital, providing meals, running small errands and taking care of household tasks. Brownsburg and Avon neighbors, friends and church attenders from Ben Davis and Connection Pointe shared their love and resources, too. While there will be ongoing monitoring and follow-up, Annette and I are feeling great and excited about the potential impact our journey might have on others.
The results didn’t take their time, either. I didn’t know how much better I could feel again since I’ve lived with kidney disease for a long time. As a result, I don’t know how to thank Annette and her family more than I have but I know she’s not looking for credit, glory or fame.
I received a gift worth millions that I plan to take care of and always be grateful for.
In addition, we both hope that our story will encourage you and others to have the strength to overcome even your biggest challenges and then give to someone else, whatever your gift might be. Remember the answers to your problems can come in ways you never expect.
We are convinced that God did a major miracle in bringing us together at just the right time, in the right place. It was extra special that we both happen to live in the same community. God can do the same for you, even though the circumstances and results won’t necessarily be the same.
Many people talk about the commitment of their faith and love for others. Some like us get to experience both and our journey changed us deep within. It’s been worth it all.
To read more about our journey, check out my humorous and inspirational blog posts at neverquitclimbing.com/blog.
