Winning the Lottery of Life
My name is Brenda Dreyer and my story starts in February of 2005. I was feeling a little tired and noticed blood in my urine. I called the doctor and he thought it was a minor infection, but it didn’t heal. So, I called again and he had me see an urologist. The urologist did an exam and blood work that showed I had a kidney disease. After that, I went to the nephrologists and had a biopsy and found out that I had IgA, which had destroyed my filters and was in renal failure. I sat and listened to the doctor and wondered why he was saying this to me. Soon, I had to make a decision about dialysis and I did a lot of research about the different types. I chose peritoneal for about a year and a half and was able to do this at home. I had great support from the dialysis center and knew in the beginning that I did not want this to be my way of life.
As soon as I found out about my condition, I interviewed to get on the transplant list. I think the hardest part is not knowing when it will happen if it ever does happen. People were tested in my family and my friends and didn’t work out. I continued to pray for my transplant, as did my church and friends. On October 8, 2006, I received a call from Barnes-Jewish Hospital to come as a backup. I was already on my machine for dialysis and I disconnected myself, as we rushed up to the hospital. We were calling friends and family to pray that this would be the call I had been waiting for. After all, I was only the backup person.
When I got to the hospital, I met the person who was called first. I asked him if he was up for the transplant. He said “yes.” I wished him the best and told him that if this didn’t work for him, I prayed it would for me. He wished me good luck, and I went back to my room, waiting to see who it would be. On October 9, 2006, at 8:30 a.m., the nurse said they needed to prepare me for surgery. I explained to her that I was only the backup person. She told me that they were waiting for me, so we needed to get going. As I told my husband to call the rest of the family to come to the hospital, I thanked God and prayed it was a good match. When I woke up, I was told it was a 5 out of 6 match. I was told the call would come when I least expected it, and it did!
“I thank my donor family everyday for the decision they made. Without them, I would still be waiting.”
I feel very blessed to have come through this. I am very thankful for all the doctors and staff that helped me through this difficult time. I will do whatever I need to in order to keep my new kidney working. I know that what happened to me could happen to anyone. I thank my donor family everyday for the decision they made. Without them, I would still be waiting. I continue to do well with my transplant 4 years later and I am so thankful that Life Goes On for me! MTS has been such a great support!!
Brenda Dreyer
