My family's kidney story
ohh I was so excited about this that I wanted to post it in my LJ. This is an article that one of my cousins wrote about my grumpy and auntie karen's transplant. they are submitting it to the Boston Globe, the Kidney foundation, Reader's Digest and even possibly Guideposts and People magazine. It is so inspiring and I'm so proud of my family that I felt the need to post it so I can brag about them. :)
TRANSCRIPT COPY DRAFT 1 NOON WED:
A Trick or Treat present for her Dad, something to be Thankful for, and Christmas cheer all in one! The present was her left kidney and Bob MacKinnon feels well treated, be it Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
The MacKinnon Family, formerly of West Roxbury, is happy to report that Bob MacKinnon is doing fine after receiving his daughter Karen’s kidney in a transplant operation of October 8th. Bob and Karen are recovering well, just in time to be healed to carve the Turkey while they offer thanks for the love of family. It was a blessing, because people are on the transplant list for years, and being fortunate to find a donor is remarkable. People need to be more aware of live-donor kidney donations. Although doctors should be the ones to tell you about it, some Doctors don't.
Bob’s kidney was failing, and he was born with only one, so options were limited. Bob and Pat MacKinnon, now residing in Sharon, have ten children and the whole family went to go get tested for compatibility. Only 3 family members were blood matches for Bob's O Positive blood type, but Karen was the only family member to meet all the criteria. But Bob and Pat’s other children; Jimmy, Kathy, Joni, Pat, Bobbi, Mike, Mary, Joe, and Jake, would have donated if able, as well as a long list of friends and family members.
Bob MacKinnon (a.k.a. Grumpy to his 29 grandchildren), was originally set up for a shunt to allow for dialysis, but thanks to a second opinion, and to his daughter Karen being a willing blood and tissue match, Bob doesn't have to slow down for dialysis twice a week. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Beth Israel Deaconess, he gets a second chance at a healthy life.
Bob and Pat’s granddaughter Maggie writes: “I am so proud to be part of a family that sticks together when times get tough, and I don't think any of us canthank Karen, Mike and their two young daughters Rachael and Allison enough for the sacrifice they made to make sure we have our Grumpy is around for many, many more Thanksgivings!”
Karen and Michael Straehle of Dedham were made aware of the risks of complications, including the vulnerability that Karen was opening herself up to in the future in case her remaining kidney was ever damaged, but that didn't deter Karen. A matching blood type isn't always enough since tissues have to match as well. With 29 grandchildren, the possibilities may have seemed endless to find a donor, but it was his daughter who made the sacrifice. In the 29 grandchildren, there were only 4 potential matches over 18, the age to consent for a kidney transplant.
Bob recently retired as a Town of Dedham employee of more than 20 years and is one of six children scattered locally in Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Yarmouth. Bob’s sister Muriel Hallet of Yarmouth wrote: “I honestly think it's such a worthwhile story that it should be shared with others who might be facing the same scenario. It is not only heart-warming, but it's a lesson for everyone in selflessness and love. I'm so proud of Karen and her family for the gift of life she gave my brother as well as a gift of hope to others who read this story.“ God Bless.
TRANSCRIPT COPY DRAFT 1 NOON WED:
A Trick or Treat present for her Dad, something to be Thankful for, and Christmas cheer all in one! The present was her left kidney and Bob MacKinnon feels well treated, be it Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
The MacKinnon Family, formerly of West Roxbury, is happy to report that Bob MacKinnon is doing fine after receiving his daughter Karen’s kidney in a transplant operation of October 8th. Bob and Karen are recovering well, just in time to be healed to carve the Turkey while they offer thanks for the love of family. It was a blessing, because people are on the transplant list for years, and being fortunate to find a donor is remarkable. People need to be more aware of live-donor kidney donations. Although doctors should be the ones to tell you about it, some Doctors don't.
Bob’s kidney was failing, and he was born with only one, so options were limited. Bob and Pat MacKinnon, now residing in Sharon, have ten children and the whole family went to go get tested for compatibility. Only 3 family members were blood matches for Bob's O Positive blood type, but Karen was the only family member to meet all the criteria. But Bob and Pat’s other children; Jimmy, Kathy, Joni, Pat, Bobbi, Mike, Mary, Joe, and Jake, would have donated if able, as well as a long list of friends and family members.
Bob MacKinnon (a.k.a. Grumpy to his 29 grandchildren), was originally set up for a shunt to allow for dialysis, but thanks to a second opinion, and to his daughter Karen being a willing blood and tissue match, Bob doesn't have to slow down for dialysis twice a week. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Beth Israel Deaconess, he gets a second chance at a healthy life.
Bob and Pat’s granddaughter Maggie writes: “I am so proud to be part of a family that sticks together when times get tough, and I don't think any of us canthank Karen, Mike and their two young daughters Rachael and Allison enough for the sacrifice they made to make sure we have our Grumpy is around for many, many more Thanksgivings!”
Karen and Michael Straehle of Dedham were made aware of the risks of complications, including the vulnerability that Karen was opening herself up to in the future in case her remaining kidney was ever damaged, but that didn't deter Karen. A matching blood type isn't always enough since tissues have to match as well. With 29 grandchildren, the possibilities may have seemed endless to find a donor, but it was his daughter who made the sacrifice. In the 29 grandchildren, there were only 4 potential matches over 18, the age to consent for a kidney transplant.
Bob recently retired as a Town of Dedham employee of more than 20 years and is one of six children scattered locally in Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Yarmouth. Bob’s sister Muriel Hallet of Yarmouth wrote: “I honestly think it's such a worthwhile story that it should be shared with others who might be facing the same scenario. It is not only heart-warming, but it's a lesson for everyone in selflessness and love. I'm so proud of Karen and her family for the gift of life she gave my brother as well as a gift of hope to others who read this story.“ God Bless.