An 18-year-old gives her mother a kidney and urges others to “be donors”
Jessica Jordan endured years of excruciating pain in the heart of North Richland Hills, Texas. Her daughter, 18-year-old Brooke Lyle, vividly recalls her mother’s brave attempt to conceal the agony, but a sense that “something was wrong” persisted.
“I struggled even to walk. The pain was relentless, a constant companion,” recounted Jordan, a resilient mother of five, during an interview with “Good Morning America.” “Upon diagnosis, my body was already in turmoil, impacting my kidneys due to the disease’s aggressive nature. While my life hung in the balance, the treatment proved effective.”
As Jordan described it, this elusive adversary is granulomatosis with polyangiitis, an uncommon autoimmune disorder she confronted over a decade ago. As delineated by the National Institutes of Health, this ailment triggers inflammation and swelling within the body’s blood vessels, potentially obstructing blood flow to essential organs like the kidneys and lungs, resulting in their impairment.
For Jordan, this was an unfortunate reality. “It progressively targeted my kidneys, pushing me into a dialysis cycle,” she recounted. Medical professionals had forewarned her that a kidney transplant would eventually become necessary.
The family’s initial strategy involved Jordan’s twin brother, Alfred Daniel Tucker, offering his kidney. However, this plan was disrupted by Tucker’s untimely demise on August 13, 2021, a victim of COVID-19 that had mercilessly damaged his organs.
Tragedy propelled Lyle to step in. When her uncle’s passing coincided with her mother’s dialysis regimen, Lyle committed to donating one of her kidneys.
“I decided to go ahead with it,” Lyle said. “After conducting extensive research, I realized that my sacrifices were minuscule compared to what my mom had endured. It was a no-brainer.”
Initially opposed to the idea due to her concerns about Lyle’s age and future, Jordan conceded after exhaustive consultations with their healthcare providers. Both Jordan and Lyle actively sought professional guidance and emotional support before embracing the transformative journey.
Jordan answered her apprehensions, “I wouldn’t have consented if I believed it would jeopardize her future. We consulted counselors who engaged with her independently to ensure no coercion was involved. From the outset, I assured her she had the freedom to reconsider, even until the surgery.”
Lyle’s comfort in her decision deepened as she delved into the intricacies of the donation process. “Understanding the minimal risks associated with being a donor truly alleviated my concerns,” the high school senior shared.
In a remarkable display of courage, the mother-daughter duo underwent successful surgeries at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 14. The procedure left Jordan with three kidneys, requiring ongoing anti-rejection medication, while Lyle emerged with one healthy kidney.
“The outcome is incredible. The kidney is functioning splendidly, and I can feel the positive change,” Jordan rejoiced. The significance of organ donation is evident in the United States, where over 114,000 individuals await transplants, with nearly 95,800 in need of kidneys, according to the Network for Organ Procurement and Transplantation.
Jordan and Lyle share a resounding message: “Embrace the role of a donor.”
“Many are unaware that a single kidney can sustain life,” Jordan emphasized. “If you are able, consider donating now or in the future. Grant the gift of life to another, ensuring your legacy lives on.”
In the face of adversity, a mother and daughter united, proving that compassion and resilience can rewrite life’s most challenging chapters.
Source: go
