Woman gives the most unselfish gift of all, a kidneyTb News Source
Web Posted: 12/21/2007 7:58:12 PM
A Thunder Bay woman is philosophical about being a recent kidney donor saying the short period of discomfort pales in comparison to the difference it will make in someone's life.
The person whose life is about to change is her cousin Ron Ross and Irene Kiiskila is recovering from giving him what many would consider to be the gift of life.
It's been ten days since Kiiskila was in a hospital in Toronto undergoing surgery and even though she has had a kidney removed, she says she is feeling great. ''Actually, amazingly well. Every day, you feel stronger.''
Kiiskila says the days being on dialysis are over for her cousin. In an email Ross told the media, 'Kiiskila gave him his life back. '
''He came out of the hospital on Thursday so he's in Toronto in the hotel. He has to stay about another month you know, for check ups and getting all the medication on schedule'' Kiiskila said.
Kiiskila says her surgery took about two hours and if everything works well - it will be more than worth it.
''My thoughts are, for a short period of discomfort, it's nice to be able to help somebody have a better life.''
Ross, an active community member is one of the founders of the Handicap Action Group and is known for his involvement with Persons United for Self-Help. He has been on dialysis for about six years but thanks to Kiiskila's generosity, his life is expected to greatly improve.
Kiiskila says when there were no donor matches in Ron Ross's immediately family, she and her sister decided to get tested to see if they were able to be donors.. When the results showed a very close match for the both of them, Kiiskila stepped forward and offered one of her kidneys.
One of the technicians testing Kiiskila at the time celebrated the fact that she was able to be a donor.
''When she was doing the ultrasound, she says: 'Isn't it wonderful that we come with a spare part?' I says, 'You know what? Isn't that the truth. It's a spare part. You can actually function perfectly fine with just one kidney.''
http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=103166
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