Donor Sought
A Malvern woman and her husband are hopeful a member of the community will step forward to give them something for which to be thankful.
Janet Brammer, who left her job last October, was assisting her mother who was suffering with dementia. Her mother passed away last December. Around that time, her husband Raymond’s health took a turn for the worse. Brammer said her decision put her where she needed to be.
“Now I’m able to go with him to dialysis appointments, doctors appointments, and those types of things,” said Brammer.
Raymond was initially treated for a carcinoid tumor in his kidney, which was successfully removed. However, he was later diagnosed with nephrotic sydrome.
“Because of that, his kidneys filter less and less. He started getting very overloaded with fluids, which they removed from his lungs, and started dialysis in Shenandoah. It’s not a long drive, but it’s very draining, and risky. His blood pressure could bottom out, and there can be other complications,” Brammer said.
According to Brammer, Raymond is in need of a kidney donor, but finding a suitable one has proved extremely difficult.
“Over 4,500 people die yearly waiting for a kidney transplant. On average, it’s 20 per day. There are 93,000 people on the transplant list. You can wait for a deceased donor for up to 10 years. The numbers are staggering, and the longer he’s on dialysis, the harder it is on his body, and he can develop more issues,” Brammer said.
Initially, Brammer intended to be a kidney donor for her husband, as she was a match by blood type and antibodies, but ran into complications.
“I matched and thought we were a go, but my kidney were disproportionate, I was born premature, so it could be a condition I’ve had forever. We had a foster daughter who was also excluded from the list,” Brammer advised.
With options running low, Brammer said she is looking for someone who would be willing to step forward and “save a life.”
“If anyone hears this story and wants to step forward and see if they can be a potential donor, all they have to do is contact the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It’s a laproscopic surgery with a two or three day hospital stay, and Raymond’s insurance covers everything for the donor,” said Brammer.
Brammer said she remains hopeful for a miracle, and that a donor will step forward.
“He’s relatively young. I’m 62, and he’s 67. He’s got a lot more years.”
To get more information on Raymond, you can contact Janet Brammer at 712-624-0008. A Facebook page has also been set up at facebook.com/pg/save.RAYMONDs.life.with.KIDNEY.donation/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1978874759062341.