salon SANDOVAL ! & $% & &### " LOVE YOUR HAIR COLOR Aveda full spectrum TM hair color instantly leaves every strand feeling healthier, and every shade is custom created by an Aveda Artist. We’ll show you how to keep your hair color vibrant and shiny, too. Start with a free color consultation – book today. ' " Page 24 March 2016 By Mallory Gleich In March of 2012, Mary Griffin was tired. She wasn’t feeling well. And she didn’t know what was wrong. After a doctor’s appointment, Griffin found out what was ailing her: kidney failure. It wasn’t something she was expecting, although her family has a history of the disease. Both her father and grandmother had kidney disease. They were unable to pinpoint the cause of the failure. Three months later, Griffin had surgery to insert a catheter and start p e r it one a l d ia ly si s. Peritoneal dialysis is how waste products are removed from the blood when the kidneys aren’t working. The blood vessels in your abdominal lining work for your kidneys with the aid of a dialysate that flows in and out of that area of your body. “I was on a machine 10 hours a day, every day of my life, so that I could live. It was not easy,” Griffin said. “You dialyze at night while ‘you’re sleeping’ so I did not sleep well.” Griffin experienced leg cramps in her thighs, sickness, acid reflux from the dialysis solution, and weight gain for 3 1/2 years. All the while, she was teaching full-time to junior high students at St. Theresa Catholic School. “I have taught at St. Theresa’s for 18 years. I love my job. Taking off of work has been one of the hardest things I have had to do through this process,” Griffin said. Griffin’s sisters, brother and niece came forward to offer their kidneys, and they were all matches. Unfortunately, other health issues prohibited them from going through with the process. Griffin decided to turn to social media. “In March of 2015, I decided to post a message on Facebook asking if anyone could save my life,” Griffin said. She explained her situation and asked that whoever saw her post would please 1) become an organ donor, 2) repost her message, or 3) consider giving her one of their kidneys. “The average wait for my blood type on the transplant list is five to six years,” Griffin said. A cadaver kidney could extend Griffin’s life another 10 to 15 years, whereas a living donor’s kidney could extend her life 25 years. She knew her best option was a living donor. A friend that used to work for Griffin years ago saw the post and decided to get tested. She was a match! It took around four months of testing to see if JoLynn Loewenkamp would be approved for the transplant. Loewenkamp had to undergo EKGs, a mammogram, a CT scan as well as interviews with social workers to make sure she was in perfect health. On December 17, 2015, they were approved for the transplant. Loewenkamp, who lives in Colorado with her family, would be in Phoenix for Christmas, so she and Griffin decided to get the surgery done during that time. That way, family would be there with them. The surgery happened December 23, which also happens to be Loewenkamp’s birthday. JoLynn was in surgery for two and half hours, while Griffin was in surgery for around four and a half. Although Griffin had to stay in the hospital for another five days, both of the surgeries went well. Griffin hopes to return to work in the near future. “Through Mary’s journey, I witnessed the intoxicating nature of hope and promise. The day she received the news that she would be given a new kidney, an announcement was made over the school system,” said St. Theresa’s Director of Development Patricia Phillips. “The entire school erupted in joyous celebration of this victory! It was a moment in time that I will never forget. I thank God that I know her and witnessed the impact she and her donor have made on so many lives.” "# Arcadia News Teachers We Love Award from a grateful student.
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