When Deborah Hufford was 35 and pregnant with her daughter, she learned she had chronic kidney disease – and had likely had it since she was very young.
“I also had preeclampsia and extremely high blood pressure, so I was put on bedrest during the third trimester,” she explained. “My doctor said most of the kidney damage had likely occurred when I was an infant.”
Deborah switched to a low-salt diet with no processed or fast foods and focused on staying hydrated. She was stable for almost 30 years when her kidney function began to rapidly decline. Her nephrologist, Dr. Matthew Hanna at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, put her on the list for a kidney transplant in 2022 and she and her husband, Evan, trained for home dialysis.
“During this time, a series of miracles happened. Evan wanted to be a donor; his blood pressure was too high for him to be considered because he was on the maximum dose of two medications,” said Deborah. “My two sisters wanted to donate, but they found out they also had kidney disease, which led them to make healthier lifestyle changes. It wasn’t just my life that was impacted.”
Determined to stay off dialysis as long as possible and lower Evan’s blood pressure, the couple began eating a plant-based diet, and Evan started lap-swimming. They were decisions that paid off.
“After several months, Evan was able to stop taking his blood pressure medications, and I raised my kidney function from 15% to 17%, which was enough to keep me off dialysis. We were stunned at how much a change of diet made and in such a short time.”
With Evan’s blood pressure under control, he turned out to be an almost perfect match to donate his kidney. He and Deborah had their surgeries in December 2022, and as Deborah says, the rest is history.
“Evan basically waltzed out of the hospital the next day,” she recalled. “I had some complications, including coming down with two severe infections, but after about a month, I was able to go home.”
The kidney transplant team saved not only Deborah’s life but also her life's dream – publishing her debut novel.
“While all of this was happening, I was working on my first novel. I was so sick that I couldn’t work, and my first contract fell through. I thought the book would never be published, but the day we learned Evan would be my donor, I got a publisher! The whole month I spent at Aurora St. Luke’s after my transplant, I was making final edits to the novel with my editor from my hospital bed. Even though I was stuck in the hospital, I was on top of the world! My debut novel, “Blood to Rubies,” is now a bestseller. My Aurora St. Luke's medical team gave me two miracles!”
Looking forward and saying thanks
The road to recovery has been a long one, but now Deborah only has checkups every six months.
“I feel very vibrant and strong; I’m staying active by gardening and taking our dog for a 3-mile walk every day. And my second novel will be coming out in the next month. I feel like I got a second chance at life,” she shared. “I became a debut novelist at the age of 70, and it was because of Aurora St. Luke’s. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for them. In my book's acknowledgements, the first people I thank are my amazing medical team at Aurora St. Luke's."
Deborah and Evan have spoken before many groups over the last several years to spread the word about kidney disease and talk about the incredible care they received at Aurora St. Luke's. They’ve even inspired two other people to become kidney donors.
“I can’t speak highly enough about the kidney transplant program at Aurora St. Luke’s. We received the absolute best, personalized care. My heart is overflowing with gratitude.”
In addition to thanking her care team at every follow-up appointment, Deborah recently submitted a message of gratitude on Doctors’ Day. She wrote:
"I will be eternally grateful to the staff at Aurora St. Luke's kidney transplant center, who saved my life in December 2022. I had absolutely stellar care from all the staff from receptionists to surgeons. Thank you for saving my life! Thank you especially to Dr. Vidyaranya, head of the program; to my truly amazing transplant nurse, Gretchen Rueda; surgeon Dr. Sahajpal (one of three excellent surgeons – I wish I knew their names); to Dr. Waples (the “taker-outer” extraordinaire); to my P.A. Chelsea Daniels; to my program coordinator, Laurie Wetzel; to my ICU nurse, Greg Martin: to the always welcoming receptionist, Dana; to the singing phlebotomist with a big heart, Julie; to Dr. Raman, who did my very last procedure; and to so many more staff I wish I could name. You are all doing sacred work, saving people's lives and doing it with grace and magnificent skill. My donor husband and hero, Evan Jones, and I thank you with all our hearts.”
How you can help
The kidney transplant program at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center is in the top 5% in the nation among adult kidney transplant centers and is supported by philanthropy. You can help patients like Deborah and donors like Evan by making a gift today.