Transplant Center

Patient Testimonials

Kidney/Pancreas Recipients

Clorice Adams

Clorice Adams

Kidney/Pancreas Recipient

A diabetic since the age of 19, Clorice Adams eventually became so ill she went into kidney failure and had to go on dialysis. But then a miracle happened: after two weeks on the waiting list, the transplant coordinator from the University of Maryland Medical Center called to say she had a kidney and a pancreas for Clorice. Read full story

Debbie Schwartz

Pancreas/Kidney Recipient

Debbie Schwartz, pancreas/kidney recipient with husband Mark, and their children; Gordon and Sydnee.

"I had diabetes for 31 years, and now I don't. I can't tell you how wonderful that feels.

I'd been monitored for kidney failure for 12 years. They called it creeping failure because it was just creeping along. Things really took a turn for the worse last summer when I wrapped my car around a tree after I blacked out. I was put on an insulin pump after that and my doctors told me to get on the waiting list for a new kidney.

I was only going to have a kidney transplant because that is all that I knew about. I had never heard of the Simultaneous Pancreas Living Kidney (SPLK) procedure. It wasn't until my husband Mark started doing research on kidney transplantation that we learned about it and about the University of Maryland.

We researched transplant facilities nationwide before deciding on Maryland. We were impressed by both the number of procedures that the University of Maryland performed and by their success rate. They have a reputation for getting the surgery done as soon as possible, which is obviously good for the patient.

My experience at the Medical Center was excellent. I was well taken care of. We asked a lot of questions and they answered all of them. Education is so important. You have to be an active participant in your care. You can't just depend on your doctor. Once the transplant team answered our questions thoroughly, we knew that we were in the right place for the right procedure.

My family has a saying that you can't buy good health, but you can buy a better quality of care. I could have stayed in Phoenix and had the transplant done here. I didn't have to fly 2,600 miles across the country to Baltimore. But I might have had to wait another 16 months to have the procedure done, whereas it only took two months for me to get my SPLK at the University of Maryland. And I might not have had both the pancreas and the kidney done at the same time.

As a mother of a five year old and a 12 year old, it was important that I get back to a normal schedule quickly, which I have. My blood sugars have been running under 90 for weeks. I'd had diabetes for as long as I could remember. I lived the first half of my life with it. But now I know that the next half of my life is going to be dramatically different."

Aimee Haugh

Kidney/Pancreas Recipient

Eric Schwartz, donor, and Aimee Haugh, kidney/pancreas recipient

"I found out that I was going to need a new kidney and a new pancreas a couple of years ago, as a result of my diabetes. My doctors suggested that I get both organs transplanted at the same time, instead of having two separate procedures for each organ. That is when my family members and friends started getting tested for a living donor kidney match.

My brother Eric decided to donate his kidney to me, and he was a good match. My brother saved my life. He is my hero. If you have a donor, consider yourself blessed. Every day of my life is a gift.

Twice, the hospital found pancreases for me and had me come in for the transplantation. But right before the surgeries, it turned out that the pancreases weren't really good matches after all. The University of Maryland staff was wonderful throughout everything. They were extraordinary and knowledgeable.

A good pancreas finally came through and the operation was very successful. Before and after the operation were like night and day. It has been unbelievable. I used to wake up with headaches every day. My best days before the transplant can't even compare to my worst days now.

I work full-time, swim two miles a day and have an endless supply of energy. I have so much to be grateful for -- my health, family and friends and the University of Maryland staff for giving me the gift of life again.

The most important thing you can do if you need to have a transplant is to persevere. There is such a difference in the quality of life you can lead after transplantation, and so many opportunities you can take advantage of if you keep a positive attitude."

Eric Schwartz (Aimee's Brother)

Kidney Donor

"I knew my sister was sick, and knew she would need a kidney. She was on the organ donor waiting list, but I knew that would take some time. I thought the least I could do was get tested. It turned out that I was a good match. Being in such good health, there was no question in my mind that I would donate my kidney to her. It was just a matter of waiting on a good pancreas.

I was glad that I was able to help my sister lead a normal life. The decision to donate is a very serious and important one that each person must make for themselves because any time you have surgery, there are risks. But the probability that something would go wrong on my end paled in comparison to the pain my sister was in. My decision to donate my kidney has been extremely fulfilling. It has brought our family closer together than ever.

I was in a fair amount of pain that first week following the procedure, but I was back to work after a couple of weeks. Although I had to increase my activity level slowly, I was able to go jogging and do some light lifting at the gym about six weeks or so after the transplant. I haven't had any problems at all since."

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This page was last updated on: January 30, 2009.