HOPE, N.D. — A rural Steele County woman is the picture of patience and perseverance.
After multiple surgeries, including a heart and liver transplant, Annie Mehus is waiting for a call from Mayo Clinic.
Mehus needs one last transplant to save and change her life.
“She will smile at anybody, she will talk to anybody and she is very positive,” said Dave Mehus, Annie’s husband.
That sums up the journey for 47-year old Annie, who ironically comes from rural Hope, N.D. Since hope is what Annie clings to as she waits for a kidney transplant.
“I am anxious, I am impatient, to be honest. I am ready to get on with the rest of my life so I don’t have to do dialysis three days a week,” Annie said.
It was two years ago that Mayo performed a heart and liver transplant on Annie, who has dealt with medical issues involving her heart and Shone’s Syndrome since she was young.
Now, Annie has been going to dialysis every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“It is very exhausting. It is like running a marathon,” Annie said.
Despite a roller coaster health journey all these years, one things has stayed constant:
“I have always been positive. Throughout this whole thing, since I was little until now. You have to, if you don’t, what else do you have? You don’t have anything,” Annie said.
Dave said we can all learn from his wife.
“She is not a quitter, she is a fighter and that is for sure,” Dave said.
For Annie, the wait now will be worth it once that call comes.
“I am waiting and waiting and waiting. It gets tiresome but you have to keep on hoping and have faith. I will get a transplant, it may not be today or tomorrow, but I will get one,” Annie said.
Lifesource says 115 people from North Dakota are waiting for a kidney. Just over half the population in the state has registered to be a donor on their license.
You can find more information on how to help at the Lifesource website:
