Betty Hodson
Dual Kidney Recipient
Transplant Date: July 24, 2001
Age at Transplant: 72
Home: Orinda, California

Right after returning home from a weeklong "Dialysis at Sea" cruise to Alaska, Betty Hodson received a call from California Pacific Medical Center that two kidneys had become available for her transplant. “Everything was so rushed I had no time to be nervous about the surgery,” she explains. “I quickly repacked my suitcase and left for the hospital.”

Betty had been on dialysis for one year prior to her transplant. “I never felt very good on dialysis, but there wasn't a choice,” says Betty. Luckily, she had found the Dialysis at Sea program that gave her an opportunity to sail to Alaska and continue her favorite pursuit of traveling.

Seventy-two years old at the time of her surgery, Betty opted for a dual kidney transplant after waiting for a single kidney for two and one-half years. “I read a newsletter article from California Pacific about dual kidney transplantation and learned from Dr. Bry that because of my age, I would qualify for this type of surgery,” says Betty. In May 2001, after an evaluation by the kidney team, Betty was placed on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) dual kidney waiting list.

Betty's kidney failure resulted from medication she took following radical back surgery 30 years ago. “Because of the decreased kidney function brought on by this medication, I was told that dialysis would be necessary in the future,” Betty explains. To prolong the need for dialysis treatment, Betty paid close attention to her blood pressure and diet until ultimately, nearly 30 years later, her kidneys failed. “My whole life was like a living chemistry experiment to avoid dialysis, but the kidney damage finally caught up with me,” says Betty. “Starting last year, I gave up my teaching and editing work and instead went to dialysis for three hours a day, three times a week. Mt. Diablo Renal Center, where I had my treatments, was one of the best places for dialysis, but the treatments really rule your life.”

Now, following her kidney transplant, Betty has two new kidneys that are functioning well and no longer requires dialysis. “Everyone is so supportive at California Pacific,” she says. “I've been a patient in many hospitals, but have never received the encouragement and careful following I had there. It's a wonderful facility and the nurses really listen to and help you. Dr. Bry, the surgeon, and Dr. Bohannon, the nephrologist attending me, were excellent and I'm truly grateful to them for this new beginning.”

For other patients facing kidney failure or transplantation, Betty advises, “Both faith and prayer are very important. You have to go deep within yourself and make a bridge for grace to come over and help you heal.”