Although the woman from Ukmergė knew about her weak health condition since childhood, her health drastically worsened while expecting her third daughter – at 27 years old. Jolita had to give birth to the girl earlier because doctors were concerned both about her kidney and the fact that uncontrolled high blood pressure could harm the baby girl.
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The daughter was born successfully, but Jolita’s health did not improve – weakness, nausea, constant dialysis. The woman knew she was waiting for a miracle – a donor kidney. Today, at fifty, Jolita is convinced that without the transplant she would not have reached this day, and two of her children, born after the organ transplant surgery, would not have seen the world either.
The third pregnancy “activated” the disease
Jolita remembers having kidney health problems since childhood – her parents took her to doctors, there were inflammations: “I knew this was my weak spot, but until the third pregnancy, I really felt quite well.”
The 23-year-old from Ukmergė had her first daughter, at 25 her second, and the path for the third one three years later was more difficult. The woman had to give birth to the girl at eight months, she was born weighing less than 2 kg. The doctors were simply worried both about the woman and her kidney health, and about the girl, who was at risk due to constantly uncontrolled high blood pressure and the medications for it.
The newborn, barely seeing the world, was placed in the premature baby ward, and Jolita – in nephrology. The doctors tried to stabilize Jolita’s severely deteriorated condition, but it was difficult, she kept getting worse. “Fortunately, my daughter’s health was good. But when she turned one, then my dialysis started. We found out that a transplant awaited me and I would have to wait,” the woman from Ukmergė recalled.
Two of her children, born after the organ transplant surgery, would not have seen the world either
The wait took some time – Jolita waited for a kidney for almost three years. The first two times she was called to Kaunas clinics, after tests it turned out that the donor kidneys matched better with other patients’ indicators.
However, the third time, when Jolita received a call from Vilnius Santaros clinics, was not a lie. The woman arrived, three patients were waiting for the kidney. “I remember everything very well – like now. I wasn’t even supposed to get it. It matched a man best, so he got the first kidney. The second was supposed to go to a woman, it suited her better, but she was diagnosed with an ulcer, and before such an operation, one must be completely healthy. So – I was left.
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But interestingly, I was released from intensive care to the hospital ward relatively quickly after the operation, and after two weeks – home. Everything went smoothly and I even felt it myself. And the man, who matched best, was transferred from intensive care to the ward only when I was already going home. You have to understand that every body is still individual,” Jolita recalled her experience.
Two more children were born
Jolita returned to the rhythm of life quite quickly after the transplant. At that time, the woman lived with her second husband and a few years after the transplant found out she was expecting a baby.
Although Jolita knew about the risks, she insists she was not afraid at all because she was very well cared for by doctors – she was monitored by nephrologists and other doctors. Of course, the fetus’s development was also monitored. “Everything went very smoothly, except that the delivery was not easy. I am petite, the other children were born smaller, and the son was a bigger baby, but in the end, everything went well – both the son and I were healthy,” Jolita shared her memories.
Finally, two years later, the fifth miracle came to Jolita and her husband’s family – another girl. The woman said that she no longer thought about any risks or fears then because the first pregnancy after the transplant went smoothly, she had already experienced it and knew what to expect. Today, the woman from Ukmergė is very happy that the donor kidney has given her 19 years of life.
“And when you think that I was the third ‘match,’ but apparently, it was meant to be. I often think about what a miracle happened to me. After all, three children would have been left without a mother, I certainly wouldn’t be here today. And there wouldn’t be two more children either, and I am so happy with all of them. They study well, they are already grown up, I am truly happy,” Jolita said.
The woman believes that a lot in life depends on attitude, even somewhat on a person’s character. Jolita says she looks at life very optimistically, especially knowing that it gave her a second chance: “I somehow don’t fear much, I go, do what needs to be done. If you are afraid or something, the situation won’t change, you have to take it and live, solve it.”
