Kidney Transplant Recipient Says Donor Will Always Be Part Of Her Family
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- From Zumba class in February to surgery in November, we've followed a North Hills woman in need of a kidney transplant. The native of Argentina is now back at home with her family.
About two months have passed since Jacquie Uhler was wheeled out of Montefiore Hospital by her husband, Jason, following the transplant.
"The day I left the hospital it was tough," Jacquie says she felt groggy. "A little bit weak, a little bit confused."
She was two or three months from dialysis when she received the kidney from Richard Walters, a man she met only once.
"The day of the surgery I was nervous," she says. "I always worry about Mateo. Who's going to take care of Mateo; who's going to care for him?"
Her 8-year-old son has been a big help to his mom.
"I was worried about her, because sometimes after surgery it can be a little rough," Mateo says.
Jacquie says her little boy came through.
"He said 'Mama, don't move so much. What do you need? I can help you," Jacquie said.
The best gift of all was not under the Christmas tree this holiday season. It's the kidney from a donor she barely knew.
"Oh my God," she says, "Richard to me is like a saint."
The attorney and dance studio owner from Bloomfield is once again dancing to the Latin music he loves. Looking back, he'd take the same steps again.
"She was really in bad straits," he says, "and really needed some help. So it was the only choice to make, really."
"For us, he will be a member of the family forever," Jacquie says. "I'm excited about the future, because I know it's going to be much better."
RELATED LINKS:
Kidney Donation Flyer Prompts Outpouring Of Support For Local Woman (2/21/13)
Stranger Comes To Aid Of Local Woman In Need Of Kidney Transplant (10/23/13)
Local Kidney Transplant Recipient And Donor Both Doing Fine After Surgery (10/30/13)
More Reports by Dave Crawley
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