Exciting News!

The past month has been one filled with good news for Katie. Three weeks ago she welcomed her first nephew to the world and is looking forward to spending more time with him in the weeks to come. She is also awaiting the arrival of her first niece in November!

Katie finished the required dental work last week, and was informed today that her case would be taken to the review board so that she can be put on the transplant list! Katie said that this was the best news she has received in quite some time, and she is "ready to kiss that machine goodbye!" Katie continues to do dialysis three times a week, but is very excited about the possibility of receiving a transplant in  the now-foreseeable future.

Katie has type A blood, and the waiting list for a deceased donor is typically 3.5-4 years. If anyone is interested in seeing if they are a match and could be a living donor, the Transplant Coordinator for Katie Varvel at IU Transplant can be reached at 1-800-382-4602. Feel free to call anytime, Monday - Friday 8a.m.-4p.m.

Spring is here!

Katie is excited for her son's first year of t-ball. She never tires of watching 10 children chasing a single baseball or playing in the dirt instead of watching the batter. Until recently she was doing peritoneal dialysis from her home and had no worries about being able to attend all of his practices and games. Recently, however, her stomach port stopped working. After multiple surgeries, she is back to 3x weekly hemodialysis at a local dialysis center.

Katie also has an appointment to discuss having her gallbladder removed as well as having her veins mapped. She is hoping she can have a fistula put in for more convenient dialysis and the possibility of once again running dialysis at home (with assistance).

None of these things have dampened her mood, however. She is excited about the possibility of getting on the transplant list (after a few, short dental procedures) and ready for a summer filled with food, family, and fun!