Olson willing to give her own kidney so another could live

Olson willing to give her own kidney so another could live

September 24, 2008

Cheryl Olson, news writer for Newspapers of Fayette County, learned of Mike Estrem's illness after reading an article in the Fayette Leader about his need for a kidney donor. Moved by his story, Olson contacted Estrem, offering to be a living kidney donor. After going through the proper procedures, Olson learned she was a match, and though she had nearly completed all the steps to go through with the surgery to donate one of her kidneys, Estrem learned he was to receive a cadaver kidney. What follows are Olson's reflections about the events and how helping a stranger has changed her life.

Reaching out
It can be a great feeling to help make someone's life a little easier or a worthwhile sacrifice to help someone in their time of need. Sometimes it's a complete stranger who comes forward to give a helping hand, or in this case, a kidney.
Mike Estrem of Fayette was on the kidney transplant list after being on kidney dialysis since January 5 of this year.
"I have been diabetic for 25 years," said Estrem. "I always knew kidney disease was a potential complication. For that reason I have been having annual blood work for the past several years.
Estrem said his creatinine levels were always a little high but had been stable for years. During his annual blood work in November 2007, he learned that his creatinine level jumped.
He was referred to a nephrologist who sent him to Mayo Clinic to be evaluated for a kidney transplant.
Estrem's initial appointment was set for December 26-28 and January 2 and 3.
"The evaluation was the most complete work up a person could imagine," he said. "The people at Mayo Clinic are the best. Everyone would take as much time as needed to answer all my questions.
At the end of the evaluation, his lead doctor recommended a kidney and pancreas transplant. The preference was to do them at the same time from the same donor. This would require a deceased donor that is an exact match.
"The next best thing was for me to try to find a living kidney donor. I was asked to spread the word about my need. I sent out emails to family and friends. I asked (Upper Iowa University, where Estrem is employed) if I could send a campus wide email. They did one better than that. The campus email was sent out but it was also sent to the media as a press release."
It was through this newspaper article with a contact number that brought forward complete strangers to try to donate. Mike's brother was a prime candidate but unfortunately he had kidney stones at one point which deemed him unacceptable.

Answering the call
"I heard about Mike Estrem first from a friend who got the campus email and then from the article in the Fayette Leader. It was from that article I got the phone number to call for information on becoming his donor," said Cheryl Olson.
She had been a registered organ donor for years, but never knew about being a living organ donor.
"I read the article and made the call to Mayo Clinic in Rochester. At first they said that he had several people wanting to test. Some time later, I got a return call and answered some health-related questions."
"I was sent a blood test kit by mail, had blood drawn at my local medical clinic, and the samples were forwarded to Mayo Clinic. After a few days I contacted Jamie Casey, transplant coordinator, and she told me that I was compatible and a candidate to donate."
"I had the privilege of calling him to introduce myself and I asked if he still needed a kidney donor. Then I explained I was a match. I asked if he wanted me to proceed with the extensive two-day testing at Mayo. I think that he was in shock. Mike said, 'I can't believe it; are you serious?'"
"I set an appointment with the Mayo Clinic and drove to Rochester on April 15. The experience is something I will never forget. I met two gentlemen who were also testing to donate a kidney. We were each handed an orange mesh bag that contained a binder with hospital information, a schedule of appointments and explanations of the tests to be performed during the two day stay."
"The amazing thing about carrying the orange bag is that people recognize you as being a potential organ donor."
"Complete strangers walked up to me and thanked me for what I was doing.
At lunch one day I visited with an elderly woman, a two-time cancer survivor. As we watched people passing by, she commented, 'Look around. We're all here for the same reason, 'hope.' I was speechless. She was so right."
"Several times during the schedule of appointments, I ran into one of the men that I started with on the first day. We compared our progress and discussed which tests we were headed to next. We shared our stories and discussed who we were testing for."
"The gentleman, from Spirit Lake, was planning to donate a kidney to his niece. It's her second transplant, the first of which came from her father. He told me that his niece is a 17 year old, high school senior. I agreed that he had the perfect graduation gift to give her. We shook hands and wished each other good luck."
"Perhaps I notice it more because of my involvement in this process, but there are many signs that tell me to go through with the kidney donation. I'm a little superstitious and some things that have happened are not just coincidental. For example, one of the doctors at Mayo is Dr. Taler; her first name is Sandra. That's my mom's first name. The surgery date was tentatively set for June 2. Mom's birthday is June 2. Mom believed in organ donation. She had heart problems and colon cancer, so she was only able to donate her corneas. I'm doing what I think is right and I know that she would be proud of me."
Olson said she had never considered her actions heroic.
"The real hero is Mike Estrem. He had to undergo dialysis three times a week for four hours at a time. The treatments can be exhausting. He stated that throughout this ordeal it has taken a strong support system to help get through the rough times."
"The vast majority of us dialysis patients have a care giver," said Estrem. "In most cases that caregiver is a spouse. Those spouses drive us to all of our many appointments, wait for our treatments and care for us without much fanfare. They are definitely all heroes in my book."
"Lives can be changed in an instant and best made plans often don't work out.," said Olson. "On Wednesday, May 14 Mike was notified that a perfect match kidney and pancreas had become available. He was asked to report to Mayo Clinic Thursday morning by 7 a.m.
In an e-mail to Olson, Mike wrote: "Cheryl; I didn't think I would be sending this email. Mayo Clinic just called and they have both a kidney and pancreas on the way to Mayo Clinic. They said I am a perfect match and at the top of the list. I thought I was at the bottom of the list. They have begun transporting the organs to Mayo and I am to arrive by 7 Thursday morning. If the organs and I meet the final inspection the transplant will be in around noon."
"Cheryl you are truly my hero. I was so looking forward to meeting you. From our phone conversations you are a dynamic person. I would imagine that you are a bit let down while rejoicing for my good fortune. Thank you so much for your inspiration and light of hope. Mike."
Mike with his wife, Deb, traveled to Rochester that Thursday and he received his organ transplants that evening. Since his release from the hospital, Mike has recovered miraculously.
"Recently, I met with Mike and Deb Estrem for the first time. Although we had never met we feel that our paths were destined to cross and we knew that we would eventually catch up to each other. We shared our thoughts and experiences through the kidney donation process. Mike feels that I am his hero, and that I gave him the hope that he needed to go on."

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