Patient Stories
Joe Galante
Dual Kidney Recipient
Transplant Date: November 6, 2000
Age at Transplant: 68
Home: Gustine, California
“I feel like a new man and when I think of my two new kidneys, I thank God for the miracle,” says Joe Galante, a 68-year old Modesto area patient who underwent a dual kidney transplant in November 2000. Prior to his transplant, Joe's glomerulonephritis caused him to go on peritoneal dialysis for one and a half years, leaving him feeling weak and depressed because dialysis treatments took up so much time.
“The doctors at California Pacific gave me the option of being on both the single and dual kidney transplant waiting lists, so I agreed,” explains Joe. In November, he received a call from the hospital saying two kidneys were available, so he immediately came for the transplant. “Once I woke up after surgery, I just had sore muscles. There wasn't enough pain for me to even ask for painkillers,” he says. After eight days recovering in the hospital, Joe returned home to Modesto and says, “There are no words to explain how good I feel. I want to cry from happiness, the gift of life is so great.”
While staying in the hospital following his surgery, Joe says he felt like it was a week-long vacation because of the excellent care he received from his doctors and nurses. “I like San Francisco so much and everyone at California Pacific was so great and friendly, I felt like I left something behind when I returned home,” he explains.
Joe continues, “After getting a transplant, you feel normal again, not weak like on dialysis.” Although he was hoping to avoid dialysis altogether by getting listed for a transplant early on, Joe's kidney failure changed his plans. “Looking back, I appreciate the transplant so much more having gone through dialysis,” he explains. “It's such a relief to be able to do whatever I want with my life. I feel so much stronger and energetic.”
Thinking of his kidney donor, Joe says, “I am so grateful for the people who donated organs and were willing to help others.” He wrote to his donor following his transplant and says a prayer every day to share his gratitude. “A gift of life isn't easy to give, but no matter where you look, you'll find good people who will say yes to donation and save the life of someone else. It's a miracle.”