Mat Lennox and Jesyka Clarkson have forged a bond few people will ever experience.
Learning on Facebook that Lennox needed a new kidney, Clarkson donated one of her kidneys to him in February 2013. He’s got his life back and she’s gained a new family in the nearly two years since they first met at Tim Hortons in Duncan.
They celebrated completion of their first post-surgery year in February with a kidneyshaped cake, baked by Mat’s girlfriend, Candace Hallet, and her mother.
“We call it our transplantiversary,” Clarkson said as she and Lennox chatted about their experience since they met over a kidney.
They were complete strangers before she saw his story online.
“When I found out about him, his picture caught my eye. He had this goofy face in it. I felt sorry for him. He was so young. I didn’t realize people had to go through dialysis like that and were unable to work,” she said.
“I had a pretty high-stress lifestyle prior to my surgery and as it wound down towards Feb. 18 I realized that you always have to, in situations like that, face the possibility that you won’t wake up.”
Even getting to that point meant a lot of pre-screening. Everyone was delighted as Clarkson passed hurdle after hurdle.
“They want to make sure you can handle the aftermath if something like rejection happens. Do you have support? Are you physically healthy as well as mentally healthy? It’s not just as easy as going and signing up,” she said.
Finally, they went to Vancouver for their surgeries.
Clarkson had her kidney taken out first and then the doctors waited, wanting to make sure she was OK before starting the transplant into Lennox.
Since then, it’s been a question of steady monitoring for both of them.
“I go to the doctor about every six weeks. I probably will the rest of my life,” said Lennox, who is happy he is no longer chained to a dialysis machine.
“I’ve been out practising with the men’s soccer team here, trying to get back into shape. It’s amazing to have my freedom back. Now, I’m able to go visit friends in Alberta. We went to Mexico for Christmas this year.”
He was able to enjoy the food in Mexico, too.
“The only things I can’t have are grapefruit and pomegranates, but it’s a small price to pay.”
