Kimberly

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

My older brother Paul was put on dialysis in 2012. He’s my older brother and always looked after me and my 2 younger brothers when we were growing up. When he was told he needed a kidney transplant. I offered to be his living donor. So Early May 2013, I got myself ready to be in the best health I could be to give him a good kidney. I needed to lose weight. I joined the YMCA where I swam laps. I actually got up to 1 mile a day 6 days a week. I ate healthy meals I joined a weekly Zumba class. I was making good progress and feeling good. Just 7 months later, December 2013 I had lost 96 pounds and I could see my goal in sight.

It was 2 days before Christmas, I woke up with the flu. Paul had dialysis that day and wanted to stay home to take care of me. I talked him into going to dialysis that day and promised I would take care of myself.

I stayed in bed all day just feeling lousy. Right before Paul came home to check on me I took a shower trying to feel better. About 5 minutes after he came home I got nauseous and reached for a styrofoam cup, a large 32oz cup I threw up blood. Enough blood to fill that cup just about to the brim. I was in shock and so was Paul. Poor Paul ended up taking me to the ER that night. That’s the night I was told I couldn’t be a kidney donor for my brother because I had end stage liver disease and I needed a liver transplant. I couldn’t believe it, I wasn’t a drinker or smoker or did any drugs or anything that I knew of that would give me liver disease. I found out later it was my weight that damaged my liver.

I eventually was put on the waiting list for a liver transplant in March 2015, and I was blessed enough to receive my second chance February 11th, 2016. A generous person in Texas gave me the chance to live. I thank her and her family for today and everyday.

I signed up to be a living kidney donor for my older brother. That led me to being diagnosed with End Stage Liver Disease. I could not be his donor. I am now a Liver recipient. I set out to save my brother, he in turn he saved me. I am signed up to be an organ, tissue and eye donor. I know first hand the amazing things organ donation can bring. 💚💙