Incompatibility halts surgery for man to receive donor kidney from wife August 17, 2008 - 5:23PM
Donny Wisor
Things did not go as planned for a Gastonia couple who had been scheduled for a kidney transplant in July.
Michael Hudson and his wife, Marsha, were prepared to undergo surgery to transfer one of her kidneys to him, but complications kept that from happening.
Michael's kidneys are failing as a result of a gunshot wound from 10 years ago.
A few days before the July 16 surgery, Michael had high blood pressure, so doctors postponed surgery.
When the Hudsons went for a follow-up appointment on July 31, they received more bad news.
"He [the doctor] hit me like a big gun, and told me I had issues," Michael said.
The Hudsons were told Marsha's kidney was too small for Michael.
"It's like putting a 4-cylinder in a Mack Truck," Michael said.
Michael and his wife were looking forward to the possibilities the transplant could bring. He said he had looked forward to the day he didn't have to go to dialysis again. He also said swimming in his brother's new pool was at the top of his to-do-list once he recovered from surgery.
"It's kind of a heartbreaker," Michael said.
But this might not be the end of the story for Michael.
He said his father has the same blood type and so does one of his father's co-workers. Both are taking the first steps to see if they might be a suitable candidate for donation, Michael said.
Michael is just one of 2,313 people in North Carolina waiting for a kidney transplant, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network.
"There's a real need in this area," said Debbie Gibbs, public relations manager for Life Share of the Carolinas.
If you are interested in organ donation, you can register at the DMV when you renew your driver's license or you can register at donatelifenc.org.
You can reach Donny Wisor at 704-869-1817.
http://www.gastongazette.com/news/michael_23819___article.html/surgery_transplant.html
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