Woman seeks kidney donor
By Lisa Coffey
Times Journal
Jobe Publishing, Inc.
In 2020, Heather Stanton’s life was routine. She spent her days working and taking care of her family’s needs. But the results of routine blood work would change that.
Stanton’s doctor called to tell her the blood work showed elevated levels indicating her kidneys were not working as they should. She was sent to a nephrologist who monitored her every three months.
A year later, at one of her visits, the doctor told Heather sobering news. “We need to have a conversation about getting you on a transplant list,” he said.
For someone who had always strived to take care of her body-eating right, not smoking, and exercising-it was a shock. “I could not believe my ears,” she said.
Kidney disease has five stages. Heather would learn she was at stage three. She began to immediately change her diet and lifestyle. She eliminated caffeine, included foods and supplements that were good for the kidneys, continued to exercise, and attempted to eliminate stress from her life.
A second opinion would confirm the diagnosis and the need for a kidney transplant.
In an attempt to be as prepared as possible, Heather has started a form of dialysis called Peritoneal Dialysis.
“PD” as it is called, involves infusing a cleansing fluid into the peritoneal cavity. This fluid absorbs waste products from the abdomen and is drawn back out and then discarded.
Consisting of several medical tests, the process of being added to a transplant list is extremely thorough.
Heather is currently on the transplant list in Michigan, and hopes to be added to Vanderbilt’s list soon.
She and her husband, Jonathon, moved to Russell Springs last summer to be in a more central location to travel to wherever they may need to go. Heather works from home, and Jonathan runs a home repair business.
Ideally, Heather’s best chance for returning to a normal life lies in finding a living donor-which could come from anyone anywhere. Waiting for a deceased donor can take weeks, months, or even years.
A living donor is a healthy person who donates one of their kidneys while they are alive. This can be a direct donation (kidney goes to a specific person) or non-directed donation (donor remains anonymous).
The costs for the donor are covered by the recipient’s health insurance, and it typically takes four-to-six weeks for the donor to fully recover. Heather remains positive and hopeful.
“I’m staying hopeful and relying on the support of my community and the grace of God to see me through,” she said.
Finding a donor would allow Heather to live a normal life and get back to doing the things she loves-cooking, gardening, and spending time with her children.
Anyone considering donating can reach out to the University of Michigan Transplant Center at (800) 333-9013, and mention Heather’s name (Heather Stanton) and her date of birth, 8-23-66. The transplant center can provide information needed to guide donors through the process.
