Stephanie
Stephanie Wetzel's discussions
The Olympics Coverage
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Nightlife in the Pitt??
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Stephanie Wetzel's Events
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World Transplant Games 2009
August 22, 2009 at 1pm to August 30, 2009 at 1pm – Gold Coast, Australia
Latest Activity
Profile
- What is your city / state and country of residence?
- Champaign, Illinois
USA
- How are you touched by transplantation?
- I am a Recipient
- If you are a recipient, what type of transplant did you receive?
- Kidney
- Recipients: In this space, feel free to list those you are grateful to for receiving the Gift of LIfe:
- My older brother Doug! He donated me his kidney in November 2002.
- If you are a recipient, what type of donor did you receive your Gift of Life from?
- Living Donor
- If you are a recipient, when did you have your transplant(s)?
- November 19, 2002
- What is your principal transplant med(s)?
- Prednisone and Plaquinel
- What is your hospital and, or doctor's name, city / state and country?
- University of Chicago 2002-2003
Barnes Jewish/Washington Medical 2003 to present
- If you are on the transplant waiting list, what type of transplant are you waiting for?
- Kidney
- If you are on the transplant waiting list, please use this space to write about your experience:
- I had my first transplant from my brother in 2002. In 2005 I got sick from too much stress and my fistula started growing again causing cardiac overload. After it was removed in 2006 after some complications, I was left with only 20% kidney function in my "new" kidney. So the process began again to get back on the waiting list and I made it March 2008.
- What do you do for a living?
- Part Time Admin. Asst. at Windsor Road Christian Church
- About Me: Please use this space to tell the community about yourself and your unique experience with transplantation:
- I think everyone's story is unique in some way. We all go through different struggles but are able to relate to others through our varied experiences. I have been blessed to be apart of Team Illinois with the Transplant Games and am looking forward to representing Team USA!
My story began in 1986 when I developed a "mysterious rash" from swimming all the time and being baked in the sun. I was diagnosed with discoid lupus in the fall and my future swimming plans were scrapped because I could no longer go out in the sun. My disease progressed into systemic affecting my blood, joints, liver, stomach and kidneys. By 1995 I had kidney disease and began treatments like imuran, cellcept and large doses of prednisone. The lupus was scarring my kidneys down. In 2001 I started the process to get on the waiting list and my family was tested. My dad and I weren't a match and my mom was, but because of high blood pressure she wasn't a candidate. My brother tested and we were a perfect match! I then had some complications getting ready for surgery and had to have a hysterectomy and 2 fistula surgeries. My brother had some borderline blood pressure issues and had to lay off exercising for a few months too. In June of 2002 we were all set and I had a kidney biopsy to see if there was any treatment to be done to prolong the kidney function I had left. The biopsy pierced a blood vessel inside the kidney and the outside healed over it causing the blood to fill up in my bladder and back up into my kidney. The doctors wouldn't do a CAT scan even though I was in horrible pain because there was no bruising apparent under my skin. They sent me home and the next day I couldn't go to the bathroom because my ureter was clogged with blood. I went to the ER and the $%^^% hit the fan. My kidneys failed and they had to plunge my bladder with what looked like a turkey baster! I spent 3 weeks in the hospital before they tried an angiogram to cauterize the bleeding vessel. After that I went on dialysis. My brother and I had to re-do all our cross matching because of all my transfusions and we got the clear for late September. On Labor Day he went for a bike ride and was run over by a drunk driver (at noon). He had a broken clavical and scapula but no internal injuries. It was so stressful and I found out on dialysis so I was "tied" up and couldn't go be with him. Our surgery was then moved to November and on November 18, 2002 I had my last dialysis and November 19th I was given a second chance at life because of my big brother!!!
The saga continues as I am now back on the waiting list for another kidney and we just pray the ones I have hang in there! The Games have been such a huge therapy for me and my family dealing with this kind of lifestyle. I love swimming and to be able to be apart of this is so wonderful!
- How did you find out about TransplantCafe.com?
- NKFI website
- What is your relationship status?
- Single
- My Personal (non-commercial) Website, Page, or Blog URL:
- http://myspace/stefswimz.com
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Comment Wall (12 comments)
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cant wait to go to austrailla ! lol
I know! I got to see some txcafer's but not everyone. Anyhoo, my pics are up and I won a silver medal in the 1500m race walk, an event I won a bronze in last time. I beat my previous time by 4 minutes and 11 seconds. Woo hoo! How'd you do? Kim :-)
hope to see you there also
What a roller coaster you have been on. I will pray that you get the call soon!
I am so glad you joined Team Kidney. I look forward to learning more about you!
I pulled out of Pittsburgh for a number of reasons, and right now I am regretting it. I had a terrible month of May, so I took some vacation time and went to Mexico insteaad. I really needed a relaxing vacation, and I sure got it! I will have my eyeballs glued to the internet to see how all of my transplant buddies are doing. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes!
If U send me your Phone Number I can call and answer all your OZ Questions. I raced there in 04, 06.I think U have my Email address?
Bill.
We went to the Aussie Olympic Swim Team Practice in Mel in 06, Michael Klim after Practice.
Hey! I like the sound of that group: Single Chicks on Prednisone! LOL! We *may* have met at the 2004 games but that was my first time participating. I honestly have no freakin' clue. Keep your eyes peeled for a super short, totally adorable, half-Hispanic chick wearing a lime-green Team FL shirt and that shall be me! HA! Hugs! Kim :-)
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