Lee’s Story

Site created on April 7, 2019

   Welcome to the CaringBridge website for Lee Solberg.  We are using this site to keep family and friends updated and to share what is going on with Lee.  Lee is 38 years old, is a self-employed carpenter, and lives in Sisseton, SD.  He is known for being a hard worker, always willing to lend a helping hand, and for having a sense of humor.   Lee loves being outdoors, and looks forward to hunting and fishing  each year.  He also enjoys attending  concerts, plays, and high school sporting events.
       Lee was diagnosed with an genetic kidney disease (IgA nephropathy/Berger’s disease). He was diagnosed following a kidney biopsy in 2017.  Upon diagnosis, Lee found out that his kidneys were functioning (GFR) at 36%.  Following his diagnosis, Lee made drastic dietary changes in hopes that these changes would help maintain his existing kidney function.  Unfortunately, his kidney function has continued to decline fairly rapidly.  Lee has been doctoring in Sisseton with a kidney specialist, but due to recent labs, has been referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. This referral  was made in response to his lab results, which indicated his kidney  function was rapidly declining (GFR at 23%). He is scheduled to be seen at a Mayo Clinic in May. 
      Lee is currently doing well, despite feeling tired and having to follow a restricted diet.  He will need a kidney transplant in the future from a suitable donor. Lee is type O positive, and could accept a donor kidney from a type O positive or type O negative donor. 

Newest Update

August 25, 2020

Journal entry by Kate Solberg —

Hello family & friends!

I have an update to share for those of you who have been following Lee’s kidney journey. It all happened really fast! 

I (Kate) received a call on Monday afternoon (8/17) from my donor nurse. She shared that there was a kidney match for Lee & I through the pair-matching program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. They had been matched with another pair, but something happened with one of the donors or recipients, and there was now a kidney donor and recipient that matched with Lee & I! We were asked to be at Mayo Clinic in Rochester the next morning for pre-op visits, with the intent to have surgery for both of us on Wednesday. We quickly made arrangements and drove to Rochester, MN.

All went according to plan, and Lee received a donor kidney (type O) and I (Kate) donated a kidney on his behalf to a lady in need of a type A kidney on Wednesday, 8/19. We both came out of surgery well are on the road to recovery. 

 Lee will be recovering at the donor care house for 2+ weeks to make sure his new kidney is functioning well and to monitor his new medications. I am home from Rochester as of last night and will be resting under the care of my mom, Lori. 

We both have so many of you to thank and are so grateful for all of the love and prayers, but as we are both resting and recovering, we may be delayed in our responses. 😊

Thanks so much for all of your support throughout this journey!

kate

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