Lincoln, Nebraska (KOLN)-In August 2006, Amanda Rodell and her two-year-old daughter Natalie Brady experienced a life-changing moment. Natalie has flu-like symptoms, but Amanda feels that the situation is much more serious.
She took Natalie to see a pediatrician, and the pediatrician said she was dehydrated. After the visit, Natalie was taken to the Blaine Health Center, where doctors monitored her condition. Then they delivered shocking news to Amanda.
"They said your daughter needs to be transferred to the Children's Department in Omaha. Her kidneys are starting to fail and we really don't understand what happened," Amanda said.
They diagnosed her with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a disease that affects the body after being infected with E. coli. Amanda said that doctors can only treat the damage it caused to her body, not the disease itself. This condition left her in hospital for 54 days. Her kidney function has declined and she needs dialysis. In addition to kidney damage, she also suffered seizures, strokes and was admitted to the intensive care unit.
"At that time I thought it would be fine if your daughter was in the intensive care unit of the Children's Hospital, which means you are very sick now and I have never left her," Amanda said.
Natalie spent 14 years treating her damaged kidney until the transplant operation. She has the same blood type as her mother, which makes her a good match for Natalie. However, she wanted to wait for Natalie's perfect match.
"In September, they said again that you can donate yours if you want, so I waited and we got a perfect match," Amanda said.
Natalie is just one of many recipients of organs during the pandemic. There were 94 organ donors in Nebraska last year. This year, the state is close to that number, with 80 donors.
"We are very grateful to these donor families for making the decision to donate and commemorate their loved ones, to truly make their loved ones a hero, let their loved ones continue to live and ultimately save the lives of others," CEO Kay El Herb said. Live in Nebraska.
Natalie is still recovering from the transplant. Her mother was very happy that she took her new kidney to continue her senior year with her friends at Lincoln Southwest High School.
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