Diagnosed almost two years ago with a benign sclerosis, 56-year-old Shawn Dulmage is now the happy owner of a kidney he received from his wife of 20 years, Dianne.
Shawn, who works for Safeway in 100 Mile House, says at first the doctors gave him a five-year window, but that quickly turned into him being five months away from possible life-long dialysis or worse.
“The thought of being on dialysis just had no appeal; it was not something I could see myself doing,” he says.
“I was prepared to do it, but it wasn't something I looked forward to."
His kidney function deteriorated at a rapid rate with reduced function and increasing blood pressure, creating a snowball effect, he explains.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney failure, Shawn adds.
He had three choices: dialysis, either hemodialysis (at the hospital) or peritoneal dialysis (at home); a transplant; or let nature run its course, which wasn't an option.
He went on a very restrictive diet to stabilize the kidney function. He called the diet: "If it tastes good to you can't have it."
Five people offered to help him. The first optimal donor’s blood pressure was a bit high, which meant they would have to postpone the surgery, but it was time that Shawn didn't have.
However, Dianne was a perfect match and it was decided to use her kidney.
She went into the hospital with Shawn, got through the operation just fine and everything checked out for the transplant.
Kidney donors don't have to have the same blood type, Shawn notes, but they need to have compatible blood.
It was great news when they learned Dianne has a universal donor blood type and Shawn has a universal recipient blood type.
"The staff at St. Paul's Hospital [in Vancouver] is absolutely marvellous. People talk about the medical system in this province, but I have no complaints.
"The day after the operation my feet were warm. They hadn't been warm in over a year."
Shawn is back at work full time after finishing four weeks of light duties.
Shawn talks of the importance of doing what you are told to do when you are told to do it.
"I have to take anti-rejection drugs twice a day every day; I set my watch alarm. There is no question that this is the best possible outcome for me."
For more information on kidney transplants or donations, contact www.kidney.ca/bc.
