PKD Life - Fall 2021 - 17

IMAGES COURTESY OF SUBJECTS
CELIA NICHOLS
57, LUTZ, FLORIDA
Transplant history:
She had both kidneys removed in
early 2009 and was on dialysis until
that August, when she received a transplant
from her brother. That kidney
failed and was taken out in February
2010. Celia went back on dialysis and
received her current kidney from a
deceased donor in May 2012.
Advice:
BETSY COOK
59, SADLER, TEXAS
Transplant history:
In 2011, she received a kidney from a
living donor. No native kidneys were
removed. Five years later, both native
kidneys were removed.
Advice:
Be kind to
yourself
" I was frustrated that I didn't feel terrifi
c right away. I am competitive, so
I was upset that my fellow transplant
buddies were feeling better a lot
sooner than I did. I forced myself to
go to the mall soon after my operation,
but I ended up almost passing
out. I feel great now, but I should have
been more patient when recuperating.
It took me a while to get my body
back into shape; I probably didn't feel
100% until about six months out. But
everyone heals diff erently. Be gentle
on yourself and take all the time you
need. It's not a race. "
Follow the rules;
reap big rewards
" I didn't realize how large a part taking
good care of myself would play in
my recovery. I followed my doctor's
directions to the T. I lost a lot of weight
from dialysis, so I had a dietitian work
with me to develop new healthy meal
plans. I exercised. I also didn't realize
how happy and thankful I would be. I
just had no clue how good good could
be because I didn't realize how poorly
I was doing. You just don't have that
perception till you're done. I went back
to my church. I reached out. I started
to get back to really living again, which
was amazing. "
PKDCURE.ORG
17
http://www.PKDCURE.ORG
PKD Life - Fall 2021

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