My friend Kyle's fight

My friend Kyle’s battle and his second chance at life.

At the end of 2012, my dear friend Stephanie and her husband Kyle were informed that Kyle would need a double lung and kidney transplant due to the damaged state of his organs, caused by Wegner’s Granulomatosis. Kyle was diagnosed with Wegner’s more than a decade ago. Wegner’s is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of blood vessels. The inflammation restricts blood flow to various organs, often affecting the kidneys, lungs and upper respiratory tract. The restricted blood flow to these organs can damage them. 

Since receiving the news, Kyle has been on oxygen at all times. He also has participated in rehabilitation to gain strength for his impending transplant surgery. After Kyle was denied admission into the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinic’s transplant program, he and Stephanie traveled to Cleveland Clinic and Duke University Medical Institute. After many tests and consultations, Stephanie and Kyle received the good news that Kyle had been accepted by Duke. Shortly after, they moved to Durham, North Carolina, where Kyle continued his rehabilitation.

On October 11, 2013, Kyle received more good news – he had been listed on the United Network for Organ Sharing donor list. A month later, Kyle completed his weekly pulmonary function test and found out his lung function had decreased by 13%. This increased his number on the list. Within hours of receiving this news, Kyle and Stephanie received a call. A donor had been found.

Over the next 24 hours Kyle received his new set of lungs and a kidney. Since then, Kyle has been making progress. He and Stephanie have been taking it day by day. To learn more about Kyle’s recovery, visit their blog. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they continue along this journey!

Strength, positivity and love.

I am beyond astonished by the strength both Stephanie and Kyle have shown over the last year. Both of them have been so positive, so strong and so inspiring to others around them. I am beyond proud of them. And so blessed to call them my friends.

Kyle has taken every obstacle thrown at him in stride. He hasn’t turned bitter. He hasn’t complained. He hasn’t taken out his frustration on others. He has been a true fighter. Stephanie has been his rock. She has willingly accepted the challenge of taking care of Kyle over this last year. She has supported him while striving to maintain a sense of normalcy for them both. She has stayed focused on her job, never making excuses. She has continued to be the wonderful friend she has always been, always asking how I’m doing. She has done what Stephanie has always done, put others before herself.

Kyle and Stephanie are made for each other. They have a relationship built on friendship, honesty and humor. True love. And, this love has only grown deeper with this experience. Others may have crumbled, but they have only gotten stronger.

Be a donor.

To close, I’d like to acknowledge the life lost, which has allowed Kyle to have a second chance at life. A family somewhere is grieving the loss of their loved one. I hope they can find comfort in knowing that others will live on because of the brave decision they made.

I’ve always been a supporter of organ donation. Now, I’m a strong advocate. Become a donor and make sure your family knows your wishes. A life lost could be a life saved.