Thriving after Living Kidney 
Donation and Transplant

There are few experiences that strike fear in the heart more profoundly than the sudden, life-threatening illness of someone you love. What followed for us was a heart-wrenching and soul-searching journey, one in which fighting for my husband’s life became my singular mission.

Our Veyo Hill began on July 20, 2017, when my previously healthy husband was admitted to the hospital in acute renal failure. He was immediately started on hemodialysis, marking the beginning of what has now been a nearly ten-year journey of dialysis, donation, transplantation, and survival.

Throughout this exhausting decade, we learned to be resourceful, adaptable, and resilient, constantly navigating roadblocks and unforeseen challenges. As physicians, myself a pediatrician and my husband a general surgeon, we understood the complexity and gravity of caring for critically ill patients with life-threatening disease. Yet even with medical knowledge and experience, life has a way of delivering unexpected curveballs, no matter how prepared you believe yourself to be.

At its core, this journey demanded perseverance from both of us. I remained actively engaged in supporting my husband through his illness while continuing my career and daily responsibilities. My husband, in turn, refused to abandon his calling, continuing his general surgery practice and trauma call while undergoing dialysis, right up until the time of his transplant. Together, we endured the rigors and complications of five years of home hemodialysis, all while preparing physically, emotionally, and logistically for the kidney transplantation. Along the way, we discovered that I was a near-perfect match to become his living kidney donor.

On our 26th wedding anniversary, January 4, 2023, my husband received my left kidney. After recovery, he returned to full-time surgical practice within just a few months. This outcome stands as a testament to the advances of modern medicine, our unwavering faith in God, and the steadfast support of our friends and family, especially our two daughters, who walked beside us every step of the way.

Most importantly, our relationship has emerged stronger than ever, grounded in unwavering love, resilience, and a shared commitment to optimal health and becoming the best versions of ourselves. As Missy emphasizes in Mile 7: You are a rock and this is the race to overcome the trials that life brings.

We all have our Veyo Hills. We are never alone. Remember to take one step at a time. Have faith, each challenge makes us stronger.