By Paula Smith

Hello fellow citizens of Cranbrook. My name is Paula Smith. I am 41-years-old and am currently awaiting a kidney transplant. I am searching for a living kidney donor. It is my hope that by sharing my personal story a suitable donor will come forth.

My journey with kidney disease began when I was 20-years-old. A sudden kidney infection had left me extremely ill for a week.  Follow up tests with my doctors revealed that along with genetic abnormalities I had Nephrotic Syndrome, a disease that gradually deteriorates kidneys over time.  I did not experience any symptoms when I was younger, and so the disease went untreated until the kidney infection occurred. I was prescribed various medications and special diet in hopes of extending the life of my kidneys for as long as possible.

Over time my kidneys continued to deteriorate until at age 38 I was advised that I would require dialysis in order to stay alive. Further, I would eventually require a kidney transplant. What followed was an intense emotional roller coaster ride: shock, denial, anger, remorse, and finally acceptance. Tragically in the midst of all this angst my husband died of a sudden heart attack, adding to the burden of my health issues.

In September 2010, I began to do dialysis treatments, which I still do to this day. Every night I hook up to my dialysis machine for eight hours so that toxins can be removed from my body. Although this life sustaining treatment helps me feel better it is not a cure. It is only a temporary solution until such time a kidney transplant becomes available to me.

Dialysis only performs 10-15% of a normal kidney’s function of filtering toxins from my body. My residual kidney function is roughly six per cent, so with dialysis I’m only able to get rid of approximately 20% of the toxins from my body. Because of this I am prone to other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, forgetfulness, pneumonia and other infectious diseases.

To receive the gift of a kidney would mean that my quality of life would increase dramatically. Not only would I be healthier but I would have the energy required to pursue the things in life that most people take for granted.

This year I received pre-approved for a kidney transplant from my team at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. The average wait time for a kidney is five years. My best option at present is to search for a living donor – that is, someone who would be willing to donate one of their kidneys to me.  To receive this gift of life would mean the world to me!

As you read this, I want to be very clear that I have no desire to coerce anyone into doing something they are not comfortable with.  I understand that this is an extremely personal decision and one that takes much thought as well as your family’s consideration.  If this is not for you, then that is okay.  If you think that you have an interest and have some questions about the process, then please call: Donor nurse coordinator ~ St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver 604-806-9027 [email protected].

Prospective donors can get worked-up and can do so without telling me, in case they just want to inquire about the process.  Getting worked-up is not a commitment to do the transplant. The transplant team and the donor have the final say on whether a transplant will go forward.  As I said before, I am doing this with the hope that it may yield a positive result for me and my future.

If you like you can also check out my Facebook page – Paula’s Kidney Search. On here I have posted my personal story with kidney disease, along with other related topics.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your consideration.

Below is a website link to the BC Transplant Society for more information:

https://www.transplant.bc.ca/index.asp or

https://www.transplant.bc.ca/odr_criteria_main.htm

Peace.

Paula Smith

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