Welcome to Deb Brown's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. Please sign up to receive updates! We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. In the coming days, we will have information on Deb's journey to her (hopeful) kidney transplant. Deb and family believe that transportation will be her biggest initial need. Fortunately, Caringbridge is an interactive site that allows Deb and her family to list their needs and friends will be alerted to sign up if desired. Deb will share a journal update soon. -Kim Rochford (kimrochford@comcast.net)
July 2021 update:
Hi Friends of Deb,
So many of you have been reaching out asking for Deb. I have some updates! Deb would like to extend her sincere appreciation to all who have provided emotional, financial, and spiritual support since her life changing diagnosis last June. Donations to her GoFundMe, the newspaper coverage, the support of local businesses through the pandemic relieved so much stress to her family. With the donations from the GoFundMe, the following has been done to assist Deb in avoiding dialysis and preparing a "readiness path" at MGH for a transplant:
1) Monthly Cobra insurance expires in November. Cobra was necessary due to Deb's inability to work during covid due to high risk (anemia, diabetes, stage 4 kidney failure, and stroke). Deb's husband, Chuck is on medicare, therefore not able to cover her.
2) Monthly aggressive Aranesp shot and iron infusions to treat chronic kidney disease.
3) A nuclear myocardial perfusion, cardiology stress testing and echocardiogram and blood draws
4) Numerous vaccines, all to prevent rejection of the new kidney.
5) Dental work such as crowns and root canals to prevent bacteria that could lead to rejection.
Deb has some important appointments in August and is keeping a hopeful heart. Upcoming appointments include a vascular CT scan. Deb reports that her body is tiring and she would love continued thoughts and prayers for her and her family Many thanks! Kim
Here is the link to Deb's Gofund Me: www.gofundme.com/f/one-for-deb-brown. You can also find Deb's Gofundme page but looking under "Ways to Help" on this site.
Some background information: What Should a Kidney Donor Expect?
* Complete a health screening.* Two half-day, or one full day evaluation with the transplant/donor team at Massachusetts General Hospital.* Lab testing, as needed.* A 4-8 week wait before approval * A half-day visit to the hospital a week before donation. * 2-3 days in the hospital.* Plan on a two week recovery but recovery time and weeks off work vary and can depend on you, your job role / requirements. Your team at Mass General Hospital can provide better information on this and what you can expect .You can expect to return to all normal activity, including sports. The time it takes to reach your pre-surgery level of activity can vary. * The medical expenses of the donor are covered by the recipient's medical insurance as part of the transplant. There may be incidental expenses of the donor, (parking, transportation, etc) which are not allowable as medical expenses but the recipient may reimburse the donor for these expenses.
