The gift of restored life

[okarol]

The gift of restored life
8/27/2008

By NATHAN WOODSIDE

Eagle Managing Editor

MACOMB - Crippling headaches. Nausea. Constant fatigue. For nearly three years MHS graduate Bryan Hess has battled the painful effects of kidney failure. Now he’s getting a new chance to live the life every 21-year-old deserves thanks to a cousin he’s only met a handful of times.

When Hess’ 27-year-old cousin, Sarah Wells, heard of her distant cousin’s search for a new kidney, she prophetically new it was her time to step up.

“When I learned of his illness, I actually couldn’t remember who he was,” Wells chuckled. “But I just knew in my heart it was a match and I had to do anything and everything in my power to get this boy healthy for his mom.”

Wells, who lives in Minnesota, said there was zero hesitation when she received a letter from Hess’ mom looking for someone with O-positive blood who would be willing to give a kidney.

“I just immediately started screaming and I shakingly called his mom on the phone and said ‘Linda, I’m O-positive. Send me the information. I’ll donate my kidney. I’ll do it,’” Wells said.

At the time, Wells had just had a baby daughter but said she would undergo the procedure in a year, a date that is now slated for Friday, Sept. 15.

For Hess, it’s the light at the end of the tunnel of a long period of pain and missing out on the little things in life.

In April 2007, Hess’ condition suddenly worsened. Doctors immediately rushed him into emergency surgery. Since then, he’s had to endure dialysis three or four times per week.

“It’s not just the 12 hours I’m on dialysis each week, it’s the time after dialysis as well,” Hess said. “I only get four good days per week. But I’m really happy about those four days because before then I wasn’t having any good days when I first found out I had kidney failure.”

Hess said he’s been able to make it through the trying times thanks to the support from his family, friends and girlfriend.

He added he was surprised and extremely thankful his cousin came forward for him so willingly, even though she had a young child to take care of.

After surgery, Wells and Hess will have about six weeks until they’re fully recovered. Doctors have told Hess he should be feeling completely better and completely healthy within one month.

Recovery will be slightly tougher for Wells, who will have to fight fatigue for several weeks and possibly months as her body adapts to working with one kidney.

“I’m not nervous yet but it’s starting to become more real to me,” Hess said. “I think once she actually gets here and we’re watching her prep for everything a week before, I think it’s going to hit me. Right now it’s more exciting than nervous but we’ll see how that goes.”

As for Wells, she’s ready to make the sacrifice.

“I’m not afraid of needles anymore,” Wells said. “The maximum amount of temporary pain I’m going to go through is nothing compared to giving this man his life back.”

http://www.eaglepublications.com/article.php?&ID=1219846223_16569&paper=Macomb