Sutter Transplant Services and Outpatient Heart Specialty Clinics
Patient Stories
Geary and Jean - The Perfect Match
In 1998 when Geary was living in San Jose, he casually applied for life insurance knowing it was something he might need in the distant future. To determine his eligibility for the insurance he went in for a routine health check-up that included a blood and urine analysis. A few weeks later Geary received a call about the results of his check-up, his urine analysis had an abnormally high protein count and he was told that he should be seen by his primary care provider to determine the cause. The cause was kidney disease.
"I was shocked when I found out the diagnosis. There was no history of kidney disease in my family and I didn’t feel sick," Geary said.
Geary monitored his condition, and after a few years needed a lifestyle change and moved to Elk Grove. There, in 2005, through church he met Jean, who quickly became one of his best friends.
"Jean and I talked about everything, even my diagnosis. She became my best friend and was always there for me offering her love, support and even her kidney. Over time our relationship became more then just friendship, and we gradually fell in love," Geary said.
Geary’s physician, Elena Gelfand, M.D., a nephrologist, saw him every six to eight weeks to monitor the progression of his disease. Slowly Geary’s kidneys became less efficient, and Dr. Gelfand had trouble controlling his potassium levels. Because of his kidney’s inability to function properly, Geary had very little energy. It was getting harder and harder for him to continue his everyday activities.
"I remember my conversations with Dr. Gelfand about the possibility of dialysis," Geary said, "Growing up I watched my mother have a difficult time with dialysis. It made me uncomfortable with this treatment option. Dr. Gelfand was wonderful and took the time to explain that my mother’s illness was not the same as mine and the treatment affected her differently, she reassured me that the dialysis would make me feel much better."
In April 2008 Geary began his dialysis treatment. He received treatment for four hours a day, three days a week. Not wanting to let his condition slow him down or stop his active lifestyle, Geary received his treatment early in the morning so that he could go to work for the remainder of the day.
"The dialysis made me feel so much better," Geary said. "I preferred having my treatment in the morning because it rejuvenated me. Even with dialysis my energy level would drop by 3 p.m. so I would position myself to go home around mid-afternoon."
Jean was also amazed at the difference the dialysis made. She loved seeing him active and happy again.
"I couldn’t believe the effect the treatment had on him. It made me so happy to see him acting like himself that I decided to offer him my kidney again, hoping that this time he would take me seriously. I never doubted that I would be a match. I wanted so badly for him to live a fulfilled life. If he was this good with dialysis, he would be Superman with a new kidney. I wanted to be the one who made that happen for him," Jean said.
Geary and Jean visited the transplant center at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento to discuss the option of having Jean be Geary’s living-donor. Jean underwent several eligibility tests and was ecstatic to learn that she was a match.
"I was in disbelief," Geary said. "When she went in for testing I never thought she would be able to be my donor. To this day she still teases me about doubting her."
Not only was Jean a match for Geary, she really was considered a perfect match. Jean’s kidney had a 98 percent compatibility level, a level that far exceeds most living-related donors.
On January 15, 2009, Geary and Jean went in for transplantation. Vascular surgeon, Richard Ward, M.D., performed the transplantation.
"I was so excited," Jean said. "I knew Geary was going to finally feel so much better. Dr. Ward and the staff at the transplant clinic made me feel at ease about the surgery. They were knowledgeable and personable, and I couldn’t have felt more relaxed."
The transplant surgery was a huge success. Almost immediately after Jean’s kidney was transplanted into Geary it started functioning, kicking in on the OR table. Typically a kidney can take a few hours to start working, but for Geary and Jean this was not the case.
For the most part a living-donor transplant is much harder on the donor than the recipient. For Geary, he was up and walking around a few days after surgery and was discharged from the hospital after only four days. This was not the case for Jean.
"The surgery did set me back a bit, and I really didn’t feel well," Jean said. "But Kelly Guerroro, the transplant coordinator at the clinic, visited me every day and helped me through the healing process."
More than a year later, both Geary and Jean are happily living their lives together. Geary feels fantastic with a new sense of energy. He is able to play golf and is enjoying the foods he was unable to eat before.
Geary and Jean still meet with their physician, social work and nutritionist about their health. This comprehensive group, which is all part of the transplant clinic’s services, helps patients with their lives after transplant, from managing stress to the proper diet.
"Sutter is wonderful," Geary said. "Not only do they have exceptional physicians and friendly staff, their comprehensive transplant program is unparalleled. The program is so mindful of the whole dynamic of donor and recipient, and they really take you full circle through the process."