Janet Henderson - 49
"I thought about asking my kids if they would help me get a transplant by donating to me or for me, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t ask them. They wanted to do it, but it took me years to let myself begin to accept that my kids could do this."
“I’m 55 and my mom died when she was 54. My grandmother was in her 40s when she died. When she died they had just figured out what PKD was. They were treating her for heart disease because the symptoms are so close to each other.
“I was 32 or 33 when I found out I had it. I was going to a doctor to help me lose weight, and I tried and couldn’t do it. She had me come back for three weeks straight and nothing was helping me lose weight, but my blood pressure was going up higher and higher. After that, she decided to check me and find out what was going on. That’s when I found out I had PKD.
“They put a graft in my arm a few months prior to my transplant because I was at the point of going on dialysis. I’ve been waiting three years for the transplant. I knew the road I was traveling.
“I found out a couple of months before my transplant date that this was a possibility. I went to Jackson, Mississippi, first, and my son was tested there to see if he was a match for me. And at first, everything was perfect. It was amazing how perfect everything was. They did the last test of our blood, and that’s when there was a reaction. They had even scheduled surgery. That was supposed to be our last cross match. And then, the same thing happened to my daughter, Janaka. We just couldn’t match up.
“When I found out they had a match for me here at UAB, I was just in awe. I couldn’t believe it. It was like a dream. To know that I’m not going to have to feel this way anymore is wonderful. This is a blessing. That’s what it is. The person giving me the kidney is giving me a blessing. It’s giving me years on my life with my children, grandchildren and wonderful husband.
“I’m looking forward to doing some of the things I used to do. I used to walk all of the time. I love walking in the woods and out in the country — enjoying nature. I’d gotten to where I couldn’t do it anymore. I love working on my farm and working on the tractor, and I couldn’t do that anymore. I loved to crochet, and I couldn’t do that anymore. When I would sit there and try to concentrate, my mind would just go blank, and I’d start shaking. Some of the medicine I was taking caused me to shake. I can’t read a book because my mind goes blank. I can’t retain what I’m reading. And no matter what I eat, I’m nauseated. I’m just tired of being sick.
“The worst part is not being able to participate in my church activities. I’m really looking forward to that. This transplant will give me a chance to try and do all of these things again.
“My wonderful daughter Janaka donated on my behalf. I thought about asking my kids if they would help me get a transplant by donating to me or for me, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t ask them. They wanted to do it, but it took me years to let myself begin to accept that my kids could do this. They are giving away a healthy part of their body, and I didn’t like that at all. They’d tell me it didn’t matter; they were going to do it.
“I’ve wondered what could I do to show Janaka how much that means to me. Words can’t do it. She’s a brave girl to do what she’s doing. I know the heavenly father is going to bless her and the other person that’s doing this. I know that. That’s what gives me the strength to continue.
“It feels like we’re doing exactly what our heavenly father expects us to do. This chain, this opportunity, is something good that can be shown to the world.”