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Sisters Survive Transplants Supporting Each Other
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Chad Koenen - Starbuck Times New Editor   
Wednesday, 13 January 2010 11:04

Sisters are thankful for organ donors


Shirley Danielson and Becky Anderson like to consider their four transplants, numerous heart attacks and car accidents as a shining example of their resilience to live.

"I felt like I could do anything," said Danielson after her first kidney and pancreas transplant in 1996. "If I can go through this, I can do anything. I am not as easily defeated as I was before."

Diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes at the age of 33, Danielson sought the comfort of her younger sister who started getting sick from the disease at the age of 10. Over the years, the two created an impeccable bond searching for answers, treatments, and building on real-life experiences to help them get through the next doctor appointment.

The surgeries


After suffering from diabetes for quite some time, Danielson's kidneys and pancreas were beginning to fail. The long-time Starbuck resident was forced to go on dialysis and patiently wait for a kidney and pancreas transplant. Even though Danielson said diabetes and at-home dialysis never really held her back, she was relieved when a phone call came in 1996 to inform her of not only a match for a new kidney, but a new pancreas as well.

"It's like someone hands you a new life, you know you will see the next Christmas," she said.

Following the transplant, Danielson said the diabetes that has been ravaging the female members of her family was gone. No longer did she have to watch what she ate, take insulin, or worry about diabetic attacks. Dialysis was a thing of the past, and everything seemed to be going well for Danielson-that was until her sister found out she was in need of a similar transplant of her own.

Just three years after watching her sister overcome diabetes with a kidney and pancreas transplant, it was Anderson's turn to go under the knife. Throughout the entire process, Anderson leaned on her sister's experience to answer questions and provide moral support.

"I could have never gotten through all of this without her," she said.

Danielson said the guidance and advice of having a family member with the same medical experiences has been a real benefit for both sisters.

"We've been a good support for each other," she said.

Second round of surgeries


A mere five years after overcoming diabetes with a new kidney and pancreas, a serious case of the flu caused Anderson's new kidney and pancreas to fail. The kidney and pancreas failure left Anderson in a familiar situation-praying that another person's tragedy could give her a new chance on life.

Despite stern warnings that she may never find another match, Anderson packed a bag of essential items just in case. Even as the days turned into weeks, the weeks into months and months into years, Anderson said she never gave up hope that a donor would be found.

"You are not ever going to give up, and you are not going to give up hope it is coming," she said.

In the middle of the night, just over one year ago, her prayers and dreams came true; a matching kidney had been found. Anderson rushed to the Twin Cities and was prepped for surgery. However, unlike her previous transplant, Anderson's kidney did not immediately respond and laid dormant for quite some time.

"It was really scary," said Anderson. "They kept telling me it was sleeping and to be patient because it can take weeks to wake up."

The kidney eventually woke up, but Anderson was still in need of a new pancreas. Against conventional practices, Anderson immediately requested to be put on a transplant waiting list for a new pancreas, instead of waiting for her body to recover from her kidney transplant. After waiting for nearly 4 ½ years for a kidney, Anderson only needed to wait for a few months before finding a pancreas match.

"I talked to them three times and it's just unbelievable," said Anderson. "You hear it is doctor so and so, but you can't hear their name. All you hear is I have a kidney and you don't hear anything else they say. Your stomach just drops to your heels."

While Anderson received a new transplant, the sisters' journey isn't over as Danielson was recently informed her kidney is once again beginning to fail. Danielson said the donated organs aren't guaranteed to last forever and has begun preparing herself for another potential round of dialysis if a new kidney is not found soon.

Thankful to donors


Today, Anderson's new kidney and pancreas are working like new. She underwent her latest surgery in June and is continuing to recover. Anderson said she is indebted to those who allowed their organs to be donated to those in need.

"If more people can do that (donate), think of all the people we can save," said Anderson.

Not only is Danielson thankful for the donors, but she said without the advances in medicine and doctors, the sisters may not be living today.

"We are very lucky we live in the time we live in because otherwise we might not be here," she said.

Given their continued medical successes and failures, and as her sister continues to wait for a new kidney to save her life, Anderson said the sisters have a new outlook on life.

"Life is sweet, you can't have a bad day," said Anderson.