Kidney Successfully Transplanted Twice after Initial Damage

One of the worst things that can happen to a transplant patient is to be so lucky as to receive a transplant, but then have the organ react poorly in the new body. 

For Ray Fearing, who has suffered from a kidney-toxic disease his entire life, that nightmare came true shortly after he received an organ from his sister. The specific disease he has, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, can sometimes grow in transplanted kidneys, causing even worse problems than just having it in the native kidneys. Once doctors realized that Ray was doing worse after the transplant than before, they knew they needed to remove the organ as soon as possible. 

The difference was that before they did it, they asked Ray if he would be willing to give the organ to another patient in need. Without hesitation, Ray agreed. Hours later, the kidney was in a new recipient (a heart surgeon with grandkids, no less!) and free of the destructive disease. 

While Ray continues to struggle with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, at least he knows that his sister's infinitely kind gift did not go to waste. I hope that provides him and his sister some comfort during this trying time. Best wishes to you both.

[via CNN]