Guilford Woman Will Stop at Nothing to Find a Kidney for her Husband

Tracey Johnson and her husband, Stephen, who have lived in Guilford for fifteen years, first learned of her husband's need for a kidney in 1994. 

"Our youngest daughter, of four, was heading off to Disney World," explained Tracey. "Stephen went to say good bye and didn't feel well. His blood pressure was high, so we went to the doctor. When we took him in, they told us he needed a kidney transplant."

To make his current condition more complicated, Steve was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 10 years old, which intensified his symptoms. Happily, the couple was able to find a match in Stephen's brother, who gave him his own kidney. Tracey explained that kidney transplants usually last between 10 and 14 years, but Stephen's lasted 18 years.

"We were very religious about his care," Tracey said. "But he did get sick again, about a year ago now, and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong. Sadly, a biopsy at Yale showed that Stephen's transplant was gone and he needed dialysis."

Stephen immediately began dialysis, and eventually, Tracey went through training to administer at-home dialysis, which Tracey now administers every day at home. 

"We knew we needed another kidney, so we all started getting tested," Tracey said. "I got tested but mine were too small and I'm not his blood type. Neither are any of the kids. Steve's best friend got tested, but he didn't pass the glucose tolerance level. He retook the test, but didn't pass a second time. When we heard that, we were devastated."

That's when Tracey decided to go public with their search and create a Facebook page. 

"Lots of people have contacted Yale to donate, and we are ecstatic," she said. "So far we haven't found a match but we are so grateful to those who have responded. So right now, we're continuing with the dialysis."

"Some days he's exhausted, has a hard time eating, and has low stamina," Tracey said. "But overall, his overall health is getting better. But it's still hard on his body. It wears you out. A healthy person may be able to be on dialysis forever, but Stephen's diabetes complicates things. I don't think he would last five years on dialysis."

"Regardless, his demeanor is good, and very positive," Tracey shared. "He has got a great sense of humor; he is such a jokester. I never know if he's kidding or not. He's so flexible, he loves to help people and people love him. And he never complains."

Tracey is optimistic and isn't giving up.

"We still have lots of living to do," she explained. "Two of our kids are getting married within the next year, there are grandkids still to come. We've been married for 32 years, but it is not enough. I want another 32 and I'm going to to do everything I can do to keep him around. He's my other half."

"Everything I do, if for Steve," Tracey explained. "I love him so much, and all of the challenges we've faced in life, everything we have dealt with has made us stronger and closer. I do this for the love of my family. They are the world to me, and to Steve; he is such a family man. I want him here with me and I'm not giving up. I want him to bounce grandbabies on his lap."

Both Tracey and Steve are still making lots of good memories with their families, even as they continue their search. Tracey shared that their children come over every Sunday for a dinner, and with Barbecue season approaching, they were excited to fire up the grill and take the cover off the pool. Steve, Tracey says, is a family man, and he puts nothing else above his kids.

Tracey continues to reach out through their Facebook page and various other outlets to spread the word about Stephen.

"The more people read about it, the better chance there is to find a match," Tracey concluded. "Stephen wouldn't be alive today without that first kidney, and from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who has looked at our page, shared it commented on it. I want to make a point to say thank you."

For more information to see if you, or someone you know, may be a potential match for Stephen, please visit their Facebook page.