Lisa Brown, 53, of Jacksonville had suffered from severe pelvic and back pain for years. She later learned that her bladder was not functioning due to follicular cystitis, a rare non-specific inflammatory disease of the bladder, and an inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder. In 2017, her bladder was removed in robot-assisted surgery and replaced with a “new bladder” attached to the ureters, tubes that carry urine produced by her kidneys. Unfortunately, ongoing problems with her bladder caused permanent damage to her kidneys.
“I had repeated bladder infections and my kidneys started to fail,” Lisa says. “I have been suffering from end-stage renal disease since 2018.”
Lisa had a nephrostomy tube for over a year and had to have it replaced every six weeks until her ureter was surgically repaired in 2019. He also had to receive regular iron infusions due to declining kidney function and was battling extreme fatigue and constant back pain. , anemia, always feeling cold.Her nephrologist referred her to mayo clinic florida be considered kidney transplant.
Once Lisa qualified for a transplant, her cousin Michelle Tatum was tested and offered herself as a donor.
“My decision to donate was not taken lightly, but I think it was an easy one,” says Michelle. “I truly believe that God gave me two kidneys when I only needed one for this very purpose,” Lisa said. She received her new kidney on January 25, 2024. received.
“I love Lisa with all my heart,” Michelle says, reflecting on how she became an organ donor. “For the past five years, I have watched her health deteriorate. I decided to get tested and see if I could donate and said everything would work out in God’s plan. That’s how it turned out. I was raised in a way: “Here, generosity and kindness towards others is celebrated and encouraged. You can change the world.”
this national donor dayThe annual event aims to spread awareness and education about organ, eye and tissue donation, and Michelle hopes others will consider becoming living donors.
“I encourage others to get tested and consider becoming an organ donor,” Michelle says. “I have been given a deeper meaning and a greater purpose in life. Some people appreciate what I do, but for me, the gifts I receive far outweigh the gifts I give.” It was huge.”
Lisa says her kidneys are now functioning perfectly.
“I’m so excited to start life again and so grateful to my donor,” Lisa said.
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