Gardino Ramirez waited nearly a year on the kidney transplant list, but even when he received a new kidney, it didn’t last as long as he had hoped.
DES MOINES, Iowa — As Jessica and Gardino Ramirez sat across the dining room table in their Des Moines home on Friday afternoon, their love for each other shone in their eyes and was reflected in their words and actions. Ta.
The Ramirezs have known each other for more than 20 years. Currently, the couple has four healthy children, but they have been through ups and downs, especially in the past four years.
In 2019, Gardino received the tough news that he was suffering from kidney failure. After an ultrasound and multiple doctor visits, she kidney transplant It was the only option to nurse him back to health.
After being on the organ donor waiting list for 11 months, he receives a successful kidney transplant and the Ramirez’s assume everything is okay and, thanks to their energetic children, return to a life full of activity. I was able to do that.
Two months later, Gardino received a call from the organ transplant team, accusing her of rejecting her newly transplanted kidney.
In fact, the rejection drugs only weakened Ramirez’s immune system. In September 2022, doctors discovered a bacteria called FSGS in his blood, which caused scarring in his kidneys and required plasma exchange.
Ramirez is currently undergoing plasma therapy three times a week, but as nearly 80% of his plasma is removed and replaced with new plasma and drugs, his body is severely weakened.
In recent months, Ramirez’s kidney health has worsened. His kidneys are functioning at only 13% of his overall function, an even lower rating than before receiving his first organ transplant.
The Ramirez’s are currently waiting for a second organ donor so that Gardino can receive a new kidney. The only other option is dialysis, but Gardino doesn’t want to opt into that direction.
Meanwhile, Jessica is doing her best to spread the word about her husband’s health. She posted flyers around Des Moines and around her neighborhood, including: Post to Facebook They are asking people to spread the word about the need for organ donors, and the information has been shared hundreds of times.
“I’m just doing what I have to do,” Jessica said.
Ramirez’s blood type is O+, the most common blood type in the world, and he is always in short supply due to high demand.
In the Midwest, the average time someone is on a waiting list to receive an organ transplant is three to five years, Unity Point Des Moines told Local 5 News. However, medical companies typically delist individuals within nine months to a year.
If you are interested in becoming an organ donor, please call Methodist Transplant Center at 515-241-4044.
