Kidney donations a family tradition
Stephen Thistle follows in his dad’s footsteps by giving vital organ to sister
Sensing his sister Cheryl wasn’t feeling well, Stephen Thistle knew what had to be done. He was a potential donor 27 years earlier when their father, Jim, gave his kidney. Once again, timing was as vital as the life-giving organ itself.
Stephen’s kidney removal procedure at Toronto General Hospital on July 4 took four hours. The transplant — his sister’s second since 1991 — was done in two.
“I’m still in a bit of pain but doing well. My spirit’s great and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead,” said Cheryl, a teacher at Huron Heights Secondary School, recuperating at her Newmarket home.
“Twenty-seven years is well past the 18 year average lifespan of a transplanted kidney,” said Cheryl. “I think dad’s smiling about that.”
Kidney transplants have been performed successfully since the 1950s. Cheryl was a 27-year-old high school phys-ed teacher in 1989 when, after returning home from a hiking trip in Europe, a viral infection caused both kidneys to fail, putting her career and physically active life on hold. It sapped her strength, required four-hour dialysis sessions, three days a week for a year before a transplant was possible.
Her father, Jim, and brothers, Stephen, then 30, and Dave, 29, were ideal transplant donors.
At 56, dad figured he should be the one to donate, reasoning if Cheryl’s body rejected the kidney, or she needed another one in the future, a brother could step up. His logic resulted in the best possible outcome. Jim’s kidney kept his daughter going well beyond his own life. The retired engineering tech died — 11 years after his wife, Ruby — at the age of 74 in 2009. Stephen would naturally be Cheryl’s next donor.
“That was the idea at the time and it seems to have come to fruition,” said Stephen. “Dad’s kidney lasted a really long time and when Cheryl needed a new one, I was prepared.”
Visiting his sister a couple of years ago he noticed she looked unwell.
“I mentioned if things were going wrong with her kidney we should think about my donating, as I was happy to do it,” he said.
Cheryl had been trying to delay the inevitable for a few years.
“I was able to function,” she said. “I wanted to put it off for as long as possible but it got to the point where it was time to move on it.”
As their younger brother, Dave, had a recent hip operation it wasn’t a good time for him to be the donor. The kidney donation and transplant prep process takes a year or more and involves much consultation, testing and paper work. As that neared completion, an opening for an operation came up and Cheryl didn’t have to go on dialysis awaiting surgery.
Her transplant procedures were similar, except her new kidney was positioned on the opposite side of her abdomen this time and her dad’s was left to be absorbed by her body. The removal procedure Stephen underwent was much less invasive than the one her father endured.
In 1991, doctors removed a section of Jim’s ribs to access his kidneys. Modern laparoscopic nephrectomy makes the procedure less intrusive, involving small abdominal incisions and a tiny camera, and is not as painful for the donor. While Jim had to remain in the hospital for more than a week, his son was home in three days.
Recovery and returning to normal activities takes longer for transplant recipients than donors but Cheryl knew what to expect the second time around.
“The first three months are critical in terms of rejection but some people are up and going in six to eight weeks, depending on medical history and what you’re going to be doing. I was more prepared this time with the operation and the medicine, monitoring and precautions after surgery,” said Cheryl.
“Healing takes a while but my energy is back and my levels are improving. I go for short walks and I’ve been to Toronto a couple of times for tests but I have to avoid people with colds or the flu because my immune system is a little low and I’d be susceptible to infection.”
She anticipates returning to work in the new year. In the meantime, a network of friends including husband, Alex, daughter Jessie, 20, and son Carson, 17, are looking after her.
“It’s fantastic to realize you’ll be getting your energy back and be able to do things you did before. There are no words to express my gratitude to Stephen. I’m very lucky to have a generous brother and a great family,” Cheryl said.
“For me, there was no hesitation,” said Stephen, recovering at home in Thornhill. “I made my decision and my family was supportive throughout it. I’m feeling OK and getting progressively better. My wife, Floree, and sons (Jacob, 17 and Noah, 20) are happy for my sister. Everyone was on board.
Brother Dave described his family’s kidney transplant tradition as “absolutely fantastic.” A pharmacy technician and father of four, living in St. Catharines, the younger sibling visited Cheryl and Stephen at the hospital after the operations.
“I’m here for the next one when Cheryl needs it. It’s not a question of yes or no. It’s when.”