My Kidney Story
My name is John, and I want to share my kidney story with you. It’s been quite a journey, filled with ups and downs, but I’m determined to find a way back to a normal, healthy life. It all started in 2018 when I received the devastating news: kidney failure. My world turned upside down in an instant, and I knew that dialysis would become a part of my daily routine.
In 2019, I began my dialysis treatments. For the first three months, I went to a center, but then I transitioned to doing hemodialysis at home. It was challenging, to say the least, but I was grateful to be able to spend more time with my family. My wife of 11 years, my 10-year-old son, and my 9-year-old daughter became my pillars of strength and support.
Then, on April 14, 2020, just one day before my daughter’s 6th birthday, a phone call changed everything. I was told that a kidney and pancreas transplant were available for me. Hope surged through my veins as I thought of the possibilities. The surgery went well, and for a while, it seemed like I was given a second chance at life. The pancreas was functioning as it should, but unfortunately, my body rejected the transplanted kidney.
In October 2022, my health took a turn for the worse. Dialysis became a necessary part of my life once again, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration. I yearned for another opportunity, a chance to break free from the grips of dialysis. That’s when I learned about the benefits of a living donor transplant.
Living donor organs, I discovered, tend to have better outcomes. With renewed hope, I began searching for a living donor, hoping that someone out there would be willing to give me the gift of life. I even created my website (TheGoldenKidney.com) to spread the word and share my story. On that website, I also featured my dear friend Gail, who is also in need of a kidney. Together, we faced this challenging journey, supporting each other along the way.
Experiencing life without dialysis, even for a short while, showed me what I’ve been missing. The energy, the freedom, and the ability to fully engage in life’s precious moments with my family. I long to be the husband and father I once was, to be there for every milestone, every birthday, and every joyous occasion without the constant reminder of needles and dialysis.
If you’re reading this and feel compelled to help, please consider becoming a living donor. Your selfless act could change my life and the lives of those I hold dear. Together, we can make a difference and give hope to families like mine. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story, and please keep me in your thoughts as I continue my search for a new kidney.
Contact Information
Name: John Chapman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 803-336-1706
Website: www.TheGoldenKidney.com
Transplant Hospital: Atrium Health
Hospital Contact: Tyson Bogart RN
Hospital Phone: 704-355-6649, 704-355-8474