Living a new ‘normal’ as an organ recipient
Forgetfulness, loss of appetite, high blood pressure, and the feeling of being tired all of the time was something that Christine Stone experienced as sudden symptoms. It wasn’t long after feeling these symptoms, along with shortness of breath, that she was admitted to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton on September 13, 2013.
Christine, Cardiovascular Technician at St. Joe’s, was diagnosed with heart failure, kidney failure, and fluid in the lungs and immediately transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She was then told she needed to go on dialysis instantly as the kidney failure was causing all of the other medical symptoms.
After education from Nephrology staff, Christine had the choice between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is a process of purifying the blood of a person whose kidneys are not functioning normally, and peritoneal dialysis is a treatment using the lining of the abdomen and a cleaning solution to clean your blood. Christine chose peritoneal dialysis because she was able to continue her love of travelling. Thinking back, Christine mentions that it’s important for people on dialysis to know that “you incorporate dialysis into your life, not let it run your life.”
Within 16 months, Christine received the life-changing news that her aunt was eligible to donate her kidney to give Christine a chance at a better life. On December 3, 2014, after a year of thorough testing, Christine was the recipient of her aunt’s successful kidney donation.
“Having a kidney transplant didn’t mean that I went back to being and living the way I was before I was diagnosed with kidney failure. I just have a new normal now,” says Christine.
Although her body is still getting used to the daily medication she will have to take for the rest of her life, Christine has a new sense of independence and a better quality of life with incredible support from family, friends, her care team, and St. Joe’s colleagues.
Less than 30 per cent of Ontarians have registered their consent to be a donor. However, there are still more than 1,500 people waiting for organ transplants and thousands more waiting for tissue transplants.
You can help people like Christine by registering as an organ and tissue donor or checking your status online at BeADonor.ca/StJoes.