Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Long-Awaited Transplant A Reality For Kimball's Keith Jones; Fundraiser Oct. 29
Kimball resident Keith Jones was released from the UC Health Anschutz Medical Campus in Colorado just days after receiving a living donor kidney.
Keith Jones said he can't stop smiling since receiving his kidney about a week ago. He feels so blessed and is so thankful for the donor.
"I feel wonderful," he said.
Keith's new kidney is from a live donor and, according to Keith and his doctors, it is "a very good kidney." The donor is younger than him and in excellent health.
At the end of August, the Joneses returned to Kimball after Keith's wife, Melissa, had been hospitalized with guillain barre syndrome. Keith received a phone call with the news of a kidney for him.
"I was totally shocked," he said.
On September 26, Keith had his final pre-op. During this time, he underwent many tests, including testing to ensure that he is cancer-free.
Keith said somebody came forward that wanted to donate a kidney to him, but it wasn't an exact match. Then, a paired-exchange was done. A pair-exchange is an option that matches incompatible donor-recipient pairs with other pairs, and they "exchange" donors.
Keith was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child and most recently spent three and a half years on the kidney transplant waitlist. His dream came true on Oct. 11.
He explained that the "kidney started working instantly," producing 200-300 milliliters of fluid by the time he got out of the four-hour surgery.
As for now, Keith is staying with his brother in Castle Rock, Colorado, because he must have followup appointments for anti-rejection drug levels, classes in diet, and training on what to look for. Keith said he was walking and trying to regain his strength, and he often said how blessed he felt.
"I am going to take the best care of myself," he said.
For the past two and half years, Keith has been on dialysis, an at-home version, but now he has a new lease on life and three kidneys. His new kidney is sandwiched in a little pocket by the pelvis. To remove old kidneys turns out to be a much more invasive surgery, so they are just left in place.
Keith plans to be home in about six weeks and, meanwhile, Melissa continues to recover but cannot join him in Colorado. Keith's daughter and brother have been at his side.
The Eagles in Kimball have scheduled a freewill breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 29, with proceeds going to Keith and Melissa Jones.
