Siblings don’t always get along, but they are the people in life that we can always count on. No matter what happens, they are the people we turn to when it really matters.
When a Pennsylvania man was in his early 20’s, doctors discovered that his kidneys weren’t working properly. When most of his peers were out partying and enjoying their youth, he was forced to fight for his life. However, the fight came to an end thanks to his brother’s selfless sacrifice.
https://www.today.com/parents/brother-tells-brother-he-match-kidney-donation-t121003
https://www.wtae.com/article/unimaginable-gift-little-brother-donates-kidney-to-big-brother-for-his-birthday/14514587
https://www.ntd.tv/inspiring/life/big-bro-reads-aloud-his-huge-b-day-card-but-when-he-turns-the-page-he-just-cant-stop-crying.html
A Vital Organ
As a young man, a Fayette County, Pennsylvania native was diagnosed with kidney disease. His doctors explained that, like everyone, his 2 kidneys were responsible for a variety of vital functions. Some of those functions include removing waste from his blood, balancing water and minerals in his blood, and even managing blood pressure.
Suffering From Kidney Disease
Unfortunately, the kidneys in Brandon Lash’s body weren’t working properly. As a result, waste products and fluid had begun building up in his body and all the kidney’s other functions weren’t being performed properly. According to his doctors, things would only get worse.
A Troubling Prognosis
After diagnosing Brandon with kidney disease, doctors explained that he would likely start experiencing side effects as his kidneys progressively stopped working. While he was just in his early 20s, Brandon was told that soon he would experience things like swelling in his ankles, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath.
No Cure
To make matters worse, kidney disease can’t be cured. The diagnosis terrified Brandon, who never imagined his life would be in jeopardy at such a young age. As time passed, the effects of the kidney disease were becoming more pronounced and exhausting.
Chronic Renal Failure
By the time Brandon was just 23 years old, doctors explained that the kidney disease had progressed. He was now in chronic renal failure and his kidney function was extremely low. In order to stay alive, Brandon had to begin dialysis treatment.
The Treatment
When kidneys fail, a patient’s blood is pumped through a dialysis machine. Membranes in the machine filter and remove excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood. After that, the filtered blood is put back in the body. Unfortunately, however, it’s not a perfect system.
A Temporary Solution
Dialysis machines are nowhere near as efficient as kidneys so it can take hours for a single treatment. Not only is it a time-consuming process, but it’s also not a permanent solution as the average life expectancy on dialysis is just five to 10 years.
The Next Step
Brandon spent 3 days out of every week going to a dialysis center and sitting for hours while receiving treatment. But by April 2015, Brandon’s doctors explained that he wasn’t going to last much longer even with dialysis treatment. His only hope would be to get a kidney transplant.
Fighting For His Life
“I was really scared,” Brandon said about the scary prognosis. “I was only 23 — how could I need a kidney transplant at my age?” However, the only thing scarier that kidney failure was the fact that people spend years waiting for a kidney transplant in the United States.
A Long Wait
In the United States, more than 100,000 people are left waiting for years on the Kidney Transplant List. Sadly, many can’t afford to wait that long and nearly 5,000 patients die each year because they never received a transplant. Brandon was terrified that he too would die waiting.
The Search Begins
For that reason, his doctors placed him on the transplant list as early as they could. Doctors also recommended Brandon’s immediate and extended family get tested. If they could find someone who was a match and was willing to donate a kidney, he wouldn’t have to wait on the transplant list.
Discouraging News
At first, Brandon’s parents got tested hoping that they would be a match. Sadly, they and the rest of their relatives who got tested either weren’t a match or didn’t qualify to undergo the transplant surgery. The news was discouraging, but the family refused to give up.
A Perfect Match
Shortly after, however, their faith and determination seemed to pay off. Test results revealed that Brandon’s younger brother, Derek Lash, was a perfect match. Rather than just telling Brandon the news, the family decided to plan an exciting surprise.
A Birthday Surprise
According to the family, Brandon’s 25th birthday was approaching. So on the night of his birthday, Derek presented Brandon with a special card while their parents filmed them. Brandon knew something was going on but never guessed it was about his kidneys.
Breaking The News
“I love spending time with you … I’m so thankful I have you for my brother. You have always been there for me, even though I get on your nerves sometimes. You will always have a piece of my heart,” the card that Derek gave Brandon read. “And now you will have my kidney, too. We are a perfect match.” When Brandon realized what his brother was going to give him, he was overcome with emotion.
A Brother’s Sacrifice
“I can’t believe Derek would sacrifice going through all this for me,” said Brandon after being told his life-changing birthday gift. “He’s giving me a chance to have a healthy life again…it’s overwhelming and I still can’t believe it’s happening.”
A Simple Decision
According to Derek, however, it was a simple decision. He would have given anything to save his brother’s life. For Derek, giving up a kidney didn’t seem like a big deal. “I hated seeing him sick and knew something needed to be done to make him healthy again,” said Derek.
The Only Option
“Not only was it the right thing to do, but the only thing to do. He’s my brother,” Derek explained. “I love my brother and couldn’t imagine life without him. We didn’t know how long he could be on the transplant list, and I knew I just wanted my healthy brother back.”
The Surgery
On January 16, 2018, the brothers underwent their kidney transplant surgeries, which were deemed a success by doctors. After taking some time to recover, Brandon was finally able to get back to doing the things he loved like going on fishing trips. “I’m gonna get back to my normal self just taking my time getting there. But this summer will be the best one I’ve ever had,” Brandon said. “Dialysis isn’t holding me back from doing what I want anymore. God has blessed my family and myself with a new chance at a new beginning of life. And I cannot be more grateful for this opportunity. I love you all who continue to support us through this journey!”
A New Beginning
“If it wasn’t for this man right here, I’d still be on dialysis struggling to live every day,” Brandon said about his brother months after the surgery. “I thank god each and every day that my brother was a perfect match for me, and also that my family was there right with us as we began this new journey which continues to improve day by day. I love and thank every single person who has and continues to support my family and myself on this new life journey.”
Brotherly Love Wins in a 25-Year-Old Man’s Fight Against Kidney Failure is an article from: LifeDaily