John Bergstrand

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


On March 4, 2019 John went to Methodist hospital  with abdominal pain.  Doctors discovered a HUGE kidney stone. 

On March 28 , 2019 they did a kidney biopsy which found he had Acute Oxalate Nephropathy.   More seriously, his kidneys were only functioning at 5 to 8% of capacity.  The toxins in his blood caused uremia, which meant dizziness, nausea and confusion. 


John started dialysis on April 15, 2019 and has been going three times a week for the past 18 months. 


John was put in touch with the transplant unit at the University of Minnesota.  Since he has diabetes and pancreatitis in addition to kidney failure they recommended a dual transplant.  Transplants with organs from the same donor have the best success rates.  After many , many tests he was put on the list.


On September 14, 2020 John got a call from the Transplant team at the University of Minnesota.  He went in for a blood test.  On September 15 the transplant team called and said he was a match for a donor pancreas/kidney.

After a 10 hour surgery, the new organs were implanted.  John is now recovering and receiving anti rejection medication at the University of Minnesota main campus hospital.  

Thank you for caring about John, for your love and prayers.  Our faith in our God who suffers with us in our times of pain and loves us in ways we cannot even imagine gives us strength and hope that the coming days will be fulfilling and life giving.  Cherish each moment with your loved ones!