Tag: "Dr. Jason Wellen"
Celebrating a two-year transplant anniversary
On the weekends, chances are you’ll find Patrick Tretter on his bicycle, putting in some major miles. This year, he participated in three rides of 26, 30 and 35 miles. Now he’s training for a 60-mile ride and, maybe one day, a century (100-mile) ride. He says he’s in the best shape of his life, [...]
Alton man celebrates National Donor Day….by donating!
It’s Valentine’s Day, but it’s also National (Organ/Tissue) Donor Day. Paul Wallace, 40, of Alton, IL, celebrated both by giving his wife’s best friend a kidney here at Barnes-Jewish Hospital this morning. Wallace’s wife, Sarah, said that when they heard her friend Vanessa Vassar, 40, of Mattoon, IL, needed a kidney, Paul immediately said, “I can get [...]
Catching up with a blogger on the threshold of the OR and his new life
We recently ran across “Just Kidneying,” a blog described by its author, Jim McFarlin as ”A middle-aged man strives to come to grips with another organ that is letting him down, with faith and good humor. It’s Stage IV kidney failure as musical comedy.” It’s funny. It’s touching. It’s a well-written, warts-and-all view of life on dialysis and the [...]
Did Jonathan get his wish?
A little over a year ago, we interviewed a young man who was very sick. He was on the transplant list, hoping to receive not only a new kidney, but also a new heart. As our coworker Scott mentioned last week, Jonathan scored a “hat trick” when it comes to hearts. He’s had three – [...]
When having diabetes is all you’ve ever known, waking up without it can feel like a miracle
Danielle Scheetz was five when she was diagnosed with diabetes. Over the next six years she dealt with the disease, until at the age of 11 when her doctor gave her some terrible news – her kidneys were failing. Danielle would need a kidney transplant in order to survive. With the help of her doctor, [...]
A kidney/pancreas transplant puts health into perspective
Two years ago, on July 22, 2009, I received the call I had been anxiously awaiting for since I was put on the transplant list a year and a half earlier at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The first call came at 3 in the morning, asking how I was feeling, and that there was a possible kidney/pancreas [...]
Kidney Transplant – A Son’s Gift of Life to his Mother Pt 3
Since the day of their surgery, July 7, 2011, Steven and Edith have been doing really well. During our first day of shooting they were telling me about all the plans they had to travel together after Edith’s first year of getting healthy with her new kidney. Together they plan to go to England and Ireland, [...]
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