Mom and blogger participate in “the Great Kidney Swap”

by Hennepin Healthcare
5-6-2024

Cindy Stotz is a 67-year-old with end stage renal disease (ESRD) due to polycystic kidney disease (PKD) who has been on dialysis for more than four years. She needed a kidney transplant, but there were ten kidneys on her list that just would not do. They belonged to her five daughters.

“This disease is genetic – I didn’t want one of them to donate a kidney and then end up needing one themselves someday.”

So last year, her son-in-law went through the screening process. Surgery was scheduled for October 24. Unfortunately, prior to surgery there was a complication, and he was ruled out as a donor. The surgery had to be canceled, and it was back to the drawing board.

“It was a major disappointment,” Cindy said. “But we are a praying family, and we knew God would provide.”

In the meantime, her daughter, Jessica had begun the screening process, and she was a perfect match.

“I acted in defiance of my mother’s wishes,” she describes in Part 2 of “I Have two kidneys, and you have none” post on her Conversations on El Camino blog. “I got in line for this ride over a year ago,” the physical therapist explains in Part 3 that describes her pre-op, April 16.

Hennepin Healthcare’s Transplant team carefully evaluated Jessica’s risk for PKD and found that the likelihood of her developing the disease was extremely low. This helped alleviate Cindy’s concerns – and really made Jessica appreciate their expertise.

“It helped so much that there’s a team here that’s so thorough and knowledgeable,” she said. “I had CT scans, an MRI, an ultrasound, labs, genetic testing – I saw endocrinologist. They made the decisions so much easier.”

“We couldn’t tell God which kidney,” explained Cindy. “I mean, really, what a blessing that two people wanted to donate.”

On April 23, 2024, mom and daughter had transplant surgery at HCMC. Just one day after the procedure, both were feeling good, walking the hallways, and exercising a bit of humor.

“I’m not missing my kidney at all,” quipped Jessica.

“This morning, the transplant team reminded us how close her (Jessica’s) match was,” said Cindy.

Jessica responded: “You created me/it for nine months, Mom!”

Whether or not it is “homegrown,” the Stotz family is incredibly supportive of organ donation and transplant.

Jessica shares, “If I didn’t match mom, I would likely have still donated a kidney to someone since I went through all of the ‘pokes and prods through safety checks’ in the donation process and there are so many people who are waiting for a kidney.”

On behalf of the transplant community, we are grateful for Cindy and Jessica for participating in “the great kidney swap.”

For more information about giving a kidney to a family member or friend, please go to our Living Donor web page:  Living Donor – Hennepin Healthcare and of course, check out Jessica’s blog posts to read about her personal donation experience.