Kidney transplant provides ultimate bond for sistersFebruary 5, 2009
By Lisa DeNeal
Post-Tribune correspondent
Sisters have a strong bond; often, stronger than the bond between a child and parent. They will protect each other when needed, tell and keep secrets and, at times, share their most precious items.
Three years ago, Gary sisters Crystal French and LaVeeda Adams shared a precious item that lasts a lifetime. Crystal told me it began in 2003.
"I was feeling sluggish and had numbness in my hands and legs," Crystal recalled, "and I was losing a lot of blood and had a low blood count. I thought I was anemic or maybe it was the aftereffect of an IUD implanted in me for birth control in 2000."
Crystal said she also suffered a loss of appetite, and everything she ate or drank tasted metallic. She could not walk two blocks without getting sleepy and was soon seeing a gynecologist and urologist. The diagnosis was kidney failure.
Crystal said she did not have the medical book symptoms of kidney failure, like diabetes or high blood pressure. She was placed on dialysis for two years.
It was a life-changing event for Crystal, who is married to one of my former classmates, Edward French. They have been married 15 years and have three children. I first met Crystal during my cousin's 40th birthday party in 2007, when we shared a table and a night of laughter and fun.
Edward insisted I talk to his wife about her special gift. Crystal did research on organ transplants and, seeing that family could be possible matches, asked her three sisters if they would test for a match.
LaVeeda is the youngest sister. Crystal said all three sisters did the standard tests for a match, including dental, diabetes, stress, heart and blood pressure. LaVeeda did the tests and was the first sibling to match perfectly.
"I told her I could wait until we got the results from our other sisters," Crystal said. "LaVeeda replied, 'What's wrong with my kidneys?' It was hilarious, but she was perfect because she was single and childless at the time."
LaVeeda laughed.
"I was compatible!"
The kidney transplant happened Aug. 8, 2005, the day after Crystal and Edward's wedding anniversary. Last year, LaVeeda, now married, gave birth to her first child, months before the three-year anniversary of the kidney transplant.
"I was told it would be risky, having one kidney, but the baby is healthy and I did not have any problems," LaVeeda said.
And Crystal is doing just great with her husband and family.
Crystal and LaVeeda are proof that sisterhood is a bond that can't be broken.
Contact Lisa DeNeal at miss_lisa_67@hotmail.com.
http://www.post-trib.com/news/neighbors/1411089,deneal.article
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