30 Rock actor Grizz Chapman back following kidney transplant * September 20th, 2010 10:32 am ET
* By Diana Duel, Hartford Wellness Examiner
Grizz Chapman, who plays Tracy Morgan’s “sidekick” (Grizz Griswold) on the NBC comedy “30 Rock” is recuperating nicely after undergoing a a kidney transplant three months ago, and has resumed taping the series.
The 36 year old 7’ tall, celebrity bodyguard experienced kidney failure in 2008, as a result of suffering from hypertension for over thirteen years. He ended up undergoing dialysis three times a week. In addition, he shed 160 pounds off his (formerly) 505 pound frame by walking and “reducing his food intake and cutting cheese and mayo out of his diet” in order to become eligible for the transplant.
“I did not want to die,” he said. “I wanted to be able to be with my family and see my 11 year old son grow up.” He also has a 19 year old daughter who is serving in the Navy.
Chapman received his kidney from a 20 year old Arizona man (who prefers to stay anonymous).. The two, however, have since become friends and remain in close contact.
“When you go through something like this you learn to appreciate little things. The flowers, birds, trees. I pay attention to everything now. The taste of bread. The taste of water. It all feels different now.”
The two most commons causes of kidney disease are high blood pressure which can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, and diabetes because high blood sugar can damage nephrons (tiny filters in the kidneys). Other causes can be poisoning, birth defects, severe trauma, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, bilateral renal artery stenosis, viral infections (eg, hepatitis B , hepatitis C , HIV/AIDS), long-term use of medicines that contain aspirin , acetaminophen , ibuprofen, abnormal build-up of substances within the kidneys including protein build-up, toxic reaction to drugs or x-ray dyes, and diseases such as lupus, etc.
For more information speak to your doctor or contact Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06102 860) 545-5000
http://www.examiner.com/wellness-in-hartford/30-rock-actor-grizz-chapman-back-following-kidney-transplant
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