A Business Owner’s Inspiring Journey from Home Dialysis to Transplant Recipient

Kevin’s friends and family helped him through this difficult time. His care team was also right by his side. Tiffany, his home therapy nurse, played a key role in Kevin’s dialysis journey. She helped him face his fears and gave him the encouragement he needed.

“I call her Mama Bear sometimes. She felt like my mama,” says Kevin. “She would fuss at me. She would congratulate me. Whatever I needed, that's what she did. She knew what I was going through. I listened to her a lot!&rdquo

With Tiffany and the rest of the care team’s support, Kevin first tried peritoneal dialysis. While it worked for a time, he often struggled and didn’t feel his best. When his peritoneum began to fail, Kevin felt like his journey was over. He shared his disappointment with Nurse Tiffany, who wasn’t about to let him give up. She encouraged him to try home hemodialysis and set him up with training at a nearby Fresenius Kidney Care center.

“Once I got started, they really made me feel comfortable doing it. They made sure they teach you what you need to know. They make sure they show you what you need to know,” Kevin says. Thanks to their training and support, Kevin gained the confidence to take control of his hemodialysis at home.

After speaking with his care team, Kevin learned about the possibility of receiving a kidney transplant . He knew this option would give him even more flexibility to keep running his business. Through their support, Kevin took steps towards becoming a healthy candidate for transplant. He changed his diet and chose healthier foods, added regular exercise, and lost weight.

Kevin was placed on a waiting list for a kidney. While he waited, he continued his path to staying healthy. Kevin was able to do more frequent dialysis as prescribed by his doctor with home dialysis treatment and managed his fluids and kidney-friendly diet to stay ready for a possible transplant.

While working in his snack shack at a local football game, Kevin received the call. A kidney was ready for him! “One night I was getting set up for the football game and I got the call. I couldn't believe it,” says Kevin. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is for real!’”

One of the most exciting things about the call was that, by chance, Tiffany was at the same football game!

“When I told Tiffany that they called me, she was happier than I was. She really was!” says Kevin.

After all he went through to get to this moment, Kevin continues to encourage others to be patient and stick with it. Now, after his transplant surgery, he has even more energy for the things he loves — like running his business, spending time with his grandchildren, and living life to its fullest.

“I would like to say anybody that's going through this, don't be afraid, don't be scared to make changes,” says Kevin. “I never thought I would play with my kids, my grandkids. I never thought I would do other stuff, but now I can do all that stuff with no problem. So never give up, never think it's over, and keep pushing and pushing and pushing every day.”