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Stephanie and Tamara Ritchon
Kidney Donation Saves Sister
By Alexandra Krasov, Oakland Tribune
Used with permission.
Sisters share everything, from dresses and earrings to best friends. For Stephanie and Tamara Ritchon, sharing kidneys was just a natural extension of their sisterly bond.
Hayward resident Tamara, 27, was diagnosed with lupus six years ago. The disease attacked her kidneys and she went through various rounds of treatment to stop it.
When she entered dialysis, the doctors told her she would need a kidney transplant.
After testing all immediate family members for a good match, doctors discovered that Tamara's younger sister Stephanie was perfect.
"I just knew in my heart it would be her," Tamara said.
"I always knew she would be able to (donate). I didn't hesitate, I didn't even ask her."
Stephanie, then only 23, had a 4-year-old boy and had hesitations about going through the surgery.
"I was extremely nervous, and kept thinking about my son," said Stephanie, who now lives in Union City. "But the closeness between my sister and me and the bond took over all fears."
Both sisters underwent the surgery in July 2001 at the University of California, San Francisco hospital.
Stephanie explained that months of preparation from the hospital's coordination team helped prepare her for the surgery.
"They were wonderful, but still I was extremely frightened," Stephanie said. "But I was ready to accept any will God had for me."
Tamara also had mixed feelings as she headed into the surgery.
"I was scared, but then again excited," she said.
"I was afraid for the future of (Stephanie's) kidneys and the future of her child. ... I was torn between my nephew possibly not having his mother, and the anticipation of being able to live my life."
'Instantaneous' Results
The outcome of the surgery was well worth it, and Tamara recalls that results were "instantaneous."
"I remember waking up and feeling so much energy that I never had before," she said.
While the usual hospital stay after such an operation is two weeks, Tamara left the hospital after only three days.
"I recovered that fast," she said. "And as soon as I got home, I wanted to make up for lost time."
Having undergone chemotherapy and dialysis in her early 20s, Tamara missed out on experiences that people of her age usually go through.
"I wanted to do everything I couldn't before," she said. "I wanted to take road trips and to be energetic and to live life -- just to live it."
Tamara Has a Baby
Both sisters recovered well and, despite doctors' orders, Tamara recently gave birth to a boy.
"All the doctors said I should wait two years before I even think about getting pregnant," she said. "But I just wanted a baby so much, and it was the best thing to have him."
The 6-week-old boy, Miles, shares blood with both Tamara and Stephanie.
"I feel my blood running through him," Stephanie said. "And it's my reason for being here. I'm here to be a mother to my son and to give my sister her life."
Tamara is more than grateful for the sacrifice.
"She's one of the reasons why I could have this baby," said Tamara. "She is a part of him. She gave me another life, which is beautiful."
As the second anniversary of the surgery approaches, Stephanie and Tamara are planning a celebratory weekend trip.
It seems the two still have a lot more to share in the future.
Story written in July 2003.
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