I didn’t know anything was wrong with me until three or four years ago when I had some swelling in my legs. I went to the emergency room and they ran some tests and did some lab work and they didn’t like what they saw. So they sent me to a kidney specialist in Opelika.
I had my kidneys biopsied in January 2011 and was diagnosed with FSGS, which essentially meant I had too much protein being released through my urine, causing my kidneys to fail.
I started peritoneal dialysis after the diagnosis. I got to do those dialysis treatments at home, but they really didn’t work. I was in and out of the hospital every month and just kept getting sicker and sicker. The last time I was in the hospital, I had to go into the ICU for two days because the peritoneal dialysis wasn’t pulling enough toxins out of my body. After that, I had no choice but to do hemodialysis. I did that for about a year and a half and didn’t really have any problems. I stayed on hemodialysis until Jan. 31 of this year when I had my transplant. Now, I feel awesome. I get out and walk every day. I feel brand new, like a new person.
I have a younger brother who donated on my behalf. I actually thought he was going to donate directly to me last year. In August of last year, I received a blood transfusion and it made my antibody count go up to where my brother was no longer compatible with me. My original transplant was supposed to have been in October. I found out the day before my surgery that we wouldn’t match any longer, and that was devastating. I was tired of dialysis and was really looking forward to not doing it anymore.
But UAB told us about the paired incompatible program, and we decided to do it. Dr. Jayme Locke called to tell me about the program, and I was so excited again. Fortunately, not getting the transplant in October just turned out to be a little delay.
My brother was willing to donate to me right from the beginning. I didn’t even have to ask him. He volunteered to go do the blood work and he said, ‘If I’m a match, it’s yours.’ It was a very selfless act for him to do. He never changed his mind. He was all for it, even when he found out he couldn’t give directly to me. He said, ‘As long as you get one, I’ll give my kidney to whoever needs one.’ He said if he could help save a life or make someone else better, he was all for it. That’s his character. He’s very giving of others and not selfish at all.
To be a part of this chain is awesome. I had no idea this was even possible. When Dr. Locke broke it down, it was really cool. It’s great to participate in something like this. It’s part of history and it’s a great blessing. To be able to give to someone and you’re not really looking for anything in return, and you’re helping a stranger, is just amazing. It’s a great thing.
Jocelin Davis - 12
"To be able to give to someone and you’re not really looking for anything in return, and you’re helping a stranger, is just amazing. It’s a great thing."