by Gerri Peterson Mullen’s Stacey Garner is not one to ask for help.
But she wants to continue to be here for her 7-year-old grandson, Austin Smith.
“He’s my heart,” is how she describes him.
In order to keep showing up for Austin, Stacey must get a kidney, and the only transplant she is eligible for is that from a living donor.
So as much as she hates asking for help, she is now asking family, friends and complete strangers to consider being her kidney donor.
She has been on the transplant list for almost two weeks now - a process her doctors started back in October.
In the preparations Stacey had to name someone as her care partner, which her daughter Genevieve Garner stepped up for. Genevieve had to attend every appointment with Stacey, or else Stacey would not have been put on the transplant list. The information Garners have absorbed over the last few months is extensive. Their appointments have all been in Omaha at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Her doctors aren’t sure why Stacey is in end-stage renal disease. However, her mother did die from renal failure. Stacey started seeing a nephrologist (a doctor specializing in kidney care) six years ago. At that time she had 67% functioning of her kidneys. Today she is at 17%.
Which means if she doesn’t get a kidney, she’ll go on dialysis.
She is also dealing with congestive heart failure because of the kidney failure. She is only eligible for a living donor’s kidney because of her low blood pressure.
She’s currently only able to work around 15 hours a week at Kwik Stop. She’s tired all the time and constantly in pain. She also has no appetite. When she does eat, everything has a metallic taste.
If you are interested in becoming a living organ donor, go to NebraskaMed.com/ Living-donor or call 402-5595000.
Stacey also welcomes anyone who would like to learn more about her situation to call her at 308-546-7248.
When people ask her how she’s doing, Stacey answers like many with, “I’m alive.” But her answer isn’t one she is taking for granted with each passing day.