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My brother Don has been “the Ultimate Caregiver” and now needs help himself. At age 59, nearly blind from Diabetic retinopathy, and living alone, he is kept alive only by finding ways to get to/from 3-4 hour long dialysis treatments 3 days a week and trying to change his diet significantly from what before dialysis was considered healthy and appropriate for Diabetic patients. While the treatments were maintaining his status throughout his first 11 months on the transplant list, this no longer is the case. His only viable treatment is to receive a kidney before his time runs out. Still he is constantly reaching out to friends and relatives to provide whatever help he can. He is blessed with a detailed and inquisitive mind which he often applies to helping others with their medical challenges as well as other situations. He put his own life on hold and moved across the country, back in with my Mom primarily to assist her as age, Diabetes and Alzheimer’s caught up with her and sent her into a spiral of failing health. Despite his own challenges, he monitored and cared for her daily, overseeing insulin injections and multiple prescriptions for blood pressure, arterial fib, depression and other symptoms. He scheduled and coordinated an endless number of Doctor and specialist visits as well as hospital and Rehab Center stays subsequent to Knee replacement surgery. Doctors were continually amazed how he could recite her medical history, current and past prescriptions and be such an active partner in her health care. By also keeping a close network with Mom’s friends and relatives, he lovingly coaxed her into activities she would not have done on her own. He initiated and pulled off a surprise 80th birthday party which will forever bring us wonderful memories. There is no doubt that he maximized her joy and experiences right up to the time we lost her. Despite his own health deterioration, he continues to be there again for anyone, serving similar roles for our Aunt, our cousin and a good friend residing in the local community, probably along with others I am not aware of. Prior to his need for dialysis, he had made remarkable progress in his own health, bringing both his blood sugar and blood pressure back into acceptable ranges by diet, long walks, medication and monitoring. While I am personally unable to help him with a transplant, and presently live several hundred miles from him, I would dearly love to help him return to a more independent and normal lifestyle free of dialysis, continuing to improve his overall health so he can enjoy many more years. He loves music, especially compositions by such artists as Andre Rieu and the Irish tenors and misses the opportunity to travel despite the difficulty with his vision. We are immensely grateful to Don’s Transplant team for the care being provided and to those responsible for this website for giving us hope. Don can receive a kidney from someone who is either "A" or "O" Blood type. Please feel free to contact me at lkncareys@aol.com or 704-281-6072 if I can answer any questions. If you are unable to help, we appreciate your prayers that we would find a suitable donor. Thank you! You may also contact Don's Transplant Coordinator at the following numbers: Marcia J. Krzywicki, ANP-C 550 Orchard Park Rd A103 462 Grider Street |
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