BSWH Transplant Annual Report 2016 ACHC_639_2017_AnnualReport_JO_PROOF8 | Page 22

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT “My husband and I have a get-away cabin in the woods near Palo Pinto, about 50 miles from Fort Worth,” said Macha, a resident of Midland. “When my doctors began talking about dialysis, I started doing research about kidney transplant programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I found the program at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth. I contacted them and after some initial discussions and meetings, I felt like it was a good fit for me. I had gotten on a transplant list at another hospital farther away from Fort Worth, but I was immediately at ease with the transplant team at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth.” recalled Macha. “We walked in together, and they placed us in adjacent beds in pre-op holding. The next thing I remember is waking up with a new kidney. My donor had a fast recovery and actually came back to visit me while I recovered in the hospital for the next two weeks. I can’t say enough good things about the entire transplant team. They were wonderful.” Macha was placed on the transplant list at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth in January 2015. She didn’t have to wait long for her new kidney. A life-long friend stepped up and offered to be tested. Fortunately, she was a match, and Macha received her new kidney on Oct. 27, 2016. “My outlook on the future is great,” said Macha. “I’m looking forward to traveling and enjoying my life. I feel blessed that I was able to receive a kidney before having to go on dialysis. My new kidney is functioning really well. The entire experience has brought my donor and me much closer together. There are no words to describe how amazing it is for someone to volunteer to help you in such a special way.” “The day of my transplant, I met my donor and her family in the parking lot at the hospital,” While Macha experienced some complications from her years of battling lupus, she eventually began to feel better. She checks in with her nephrologist in Fort Worth monthly. There are no words to describe how amazing it is for someone to volunteer to help you in such a special way. 20