Dave Jansma has a new kidney, thanks to Allison Dupuis.
Dupuis, who is acquainted with Jansma through mutual friends, donated one of her kidneys to the Port Alberni man on Monday afternoon in a two-pronged operation at Vancouver General Hospital.
Both patients are doing “beyond perfect,” in Allison’s words, Dave’s wife Colleen said.
Colleen kept family and friends posted on the pair’s progress throughout the day via the social media site.
Allison was the first patient into the operating suite.
Her left kidney was removed laprascopically (doctors did not have to create a large incision, they were able to make several small incisions to insert a camera and surgical instruments, then remove the kidney that way).
“The surgeons were ‘geeking out’ over her tissue. Textbook isn’t even that perfect,” Colleen said.
Once Allison was out of surgery and doctors were assured they had a good kidney for him, Dave was prepped and Allison’s kidney was attached internally to his right side.
Dave now has three kidneys: his other two, while faulty, still produce urine so still serve a function. Leaving the kidneys intact while adding another is standard for kidney transplants.
His incision is right below the scar from his liver transplant in 2006, Colleen said.
Dupuis was out of surgery in two hours; Dave in four. Neither patient needed extra blood product, Colleen said: Dave had zero blood loss from the transplant.
Dupuis was only expected to be in the hospital for two nights, and was already off all pain medication by Tuesday morning, Colleen said.
She will have to stay in Vancouver for a week to make sure she is healing well.
“Dave is doing great,” Colleen said. “He does have a nerve that’s hot where they cut into him. Hopefully that will quiet down in a few days tops. If not, he won’t be so eager to walk,” she said, explaining that even moving air or the brush of a hospital gown is painful where the nerve is sensitive.
Dave will have to stay in the hospital for a week to make sure his new kidney is producing urine and that infection doesn’t set in.
Once out of the hospital he will have to go for regular blood testing, to make sure his body doesn’t reject its new organ.
Dave’s anti-rejection medication will have to be increased—he already takes medication to ensure his body doesn’t reject the transplanted piece of liver he received from his sister in 2006.
“Interesting thing; the body wants to reject the kidney the most out of all the organs they transplant,” Colleen noted.
Both the Jansmas were relieved that the surgery went so well. They are looking forward to some normalcy in their lives.
“The past year has been a particularly tough rollercoaster ride,” said Colleen.
“Thank you to everyone for sending their good thoughts and prayers. It all helps.
“(We’re) looking forward to some calm and predictability.”
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