Coach who gave kidney now sees more to deed

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Coach who gave kidney now sees more to deed

03/07/2008

Now that he’s gained some distance from the deed, Rob Conner is having altruistic thoughts.

The University of Portland men’s cross country and track coach originally entered a four-way kidney transplant deal to help his mother, who got someone else’s kidney as part of the bargain. As the time for the surgery drew near, he had done enough thinking to start worrying about himself. These days, he’s struck by the fact that a piece of him has given a total stranger a second chance at life.

“That has been a little emotional,” says the thin, bearded man, walking gingerly into his office on a blustery morning.

In a procedure last month at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Conner, 43, gave his kidney to a woman who is also a runner, a hopeful marathoner. She’s known to him only as Annie. In turn, Annie’s husband gave his kidney to Conner’s mother, 68-year-old Shirley Conner of Olympia, Wash.

Conner intended to simply give his mother his kidney, but was not a good match.
An online database helped the Conners find another patient and willing donor in a similar fix.

The operation could double Shirley Conner’s remaining years, from 10 or fewer to 20. She has a disease in which cysts cover the kidneys, rendering them unable to function.

As they were leaving the hospital, the Conners received a letter from Annie, who hopes to meet them someday. A gathering is in the works for this month.
Before the donation, the patients were to remain anonymous to one another.
In the letter, Annie said that as soon as her husband knew she would need a transplant, he immediately wanted to give his kidney. But he wasn’t a match. She had become overwhelmed with dialysis and she knew she would never be able to maintain the way of life she once had — unless she got a new kidney. Annie is an exercise physiologist, a teacher and an ex-triathlete. She was delighted to know her new organ was from an accomplished marathoner.

The surgery and aftermath have not been painful for Conner. He has a four-inch scar around his navel, but has done little by way of taking pain medications. Not bad, he says, for “about the biggest wimp there is.” Conner is back at coaching, but he’s being a little careful still. Days after he thought he was healed, the incision opened back up a bit.

Gwen Conner, who is married to Rob, says the episode has been “emotional, joyful, and anxiety filled.”

Conner had been running 90 miles per week before the operation, completing a marathon in the fall. He’s not zany about exercise, but will be glad to get back on the road. When he takes the UP team into Forest Park to train, the trees and paths call to him.

He’s never had an operation or a serious illness. He thinks once he gets out running again, he’ll appreciate the fresh scenery even more than before.

The other day, one of the Pilot runners was chatting with Conner about the operation. The young man said it was pretty amazing that nature gave us two kidneys when we only need one. Conner has to agree.

http://www.sentinel.org/node/8840