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Support Tricia and her Living Donor

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My story begins in October 2008 when I went to the Emergency Room for a terrible migraine. The nurses drew blood and gave me medication to help with the pain. Before leaving the hospital, I was told I would need to see my doctor due to elevated creatine levels (I was at 2.6 mg/dL and normal is 0.5- 1.35 mg/dL). I followed up with my doctor who ran tests and eventually suggested I see a kidney doctor. Mind you, I had a lot on my mind already as this was all happening three weeks after my father passed away from a brain aneurysm.

 The test results from my kidneys came back three weeks to the day of my father passing. I was in absolute shock when my doctor stated, "I'm sorry to tell you this but you need a kidney transplant." I didn’t want to tell anyone for quite some time and only David, my husband, knew. Despite the information, I went on living life, working, and spending time with my family. I tried hard not to think about it and was determined that I would not let this rule my life. However, over the next year, my kidney function went from 26% to 18%. In May of 2011, I went on the kidney transplant waiting list. 

Two years later, my kidneys were functioning at 13% and I needed to prepare for dialysis. If you are not familiar with dialysis, it is the process of manually removing waste and excess fluid from the body and is necessary when the kidneys are not able to adequately filter the blood. The process required me to get a tube in my stomach. The tube stuck out of my stomach and just hung. Taking showers was difficult and I could not go swimming or even wear jeans. On top of that, I had to go to the clinic to have it flushed out every two weeks. I absolutely hate it!

 In 2014, my husband, David, requested to be tested for a kidney donation and the results showed he was a match! I was shocked to know as the matching process is fairly difficult. Blood type and tissue type must all be compatible and healthy. After all rigorous, but necessary, testing was completed, David was ready to donate. I was honored to have such a caring and giving husband!

On July 17, 2014, David and I went in for the surgery. We had a lot of family waiting at the hospital. After 48 long hours and three surgeries, I was in the ICU with a tube down my throat only to realize I still only had my two kidneys. David’s kidney had been clotting during the transplant and needed to be removed. After multiple attempts by the surgeons, the kidney was unable to be saved. I was in the hospital for 22 days and, even more difficult, had to start over. I couldn’t believe it.

Nine months later, my doctors told me I could try to find another living donor once again. After thinking extensively about the decision, I knew a living donor would provide a better outcome for me all around. Friends and family reached out and some were tested to see if they were compatible. Many were not but, as it turned out, one individual was turned out to be match. While I am writing this, the potential donor is still going through testing to determine if she is healthy enough to donate. If the tests indicate she is unable to donate, I will be getting a fistula and starting hemodialysis. Basically, this is a surgically created vein used to remove and return blood during the dialysis which I will be required to be on 4-5 hours each day, 5 days every week.

Hemodialysis would require me to work part time in addition to piling medical bills. I currently have health insurance but the medications I am taking are $200 a month alone. Furthermore, since this process has not provided a lot of time to prepare, my potential donor does not have short term disability at work as she has not been at her current employer long enough.

So... it brings me to why I am here.

I am asking for your help with donations. The donations will be used to help with the medical bills associated with the process and to ensure my donor is able to cover the unexpected costs while in the hospital and while recovering and out of work. A little help can go a long way! This is extremely important to me and my family because I personally know how the gift of organ donation can save a person’s life. When my father passed away, as difficult as that time was, we were able to donate his liver, both kidneys and other organs. Multiple people were given a second chance to live a normal life!

A little about me! I am a momma, a wife, a daughter, a niece, an auntie, a friend, a Christian and a nurse. I love to spend time with my family and friends. I love going to the beach and going camping. I have a little boy who I love with all my heart. I have been married for 10 years to the love of my life. 

I am a fighter and I will beat this! I am just asking for a little help to give me, and my family, my life back!

If you have ANY questions please let me know!

- God Bless You and Thank You Again!!!

Donations 

  • Dave Dumke
    • $25
    • 8 yrs

Organizer

Tricia Radtke Ebertowski
Organizer
West Bend, WI

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