By Trinity Health
In 1973, Guadalupe Alejos was one of the first to undergo a kidney transplant at what is now known as Trinity Health Grand Rapids. Fifty years later, that kidney is still functioning and has allowed him to lead a full, happy and productive life. He raised his family and now enjoys his retirement years.
Today, doctors tell their patients a kidney from a living donor lasts an average of 15 to 20 years, and from a deceased donor, 10 to 15 years. The longevity of Alejos’ kidney is miraculous.
The future didn’t look that bright back in the mid-1960s when he was diagnosed with a degenerative kidney disease called glomerularnephritis, which affected both of his kidneys. For several years, Alejos held the disease at bay with medication. In 1968, he married his high school sweetheart, Lupe.
“When I married him, I knew he was sick,” Lupe said. “I knew what I was getting into. Your heart rules.”
Both Alejos and his wife have a great faith in God, which permeates their daily living.
By 1973 at the age of 27, Alejos’ kidneys were barely functioning, and he was so ill that Lupe found him collapsed, unable to walk. He began dialysis, and Dr. William Bouman (now retired) told him his only hope was a kidney transplant.
The hospital was just starting a transplant program, and Dr. Bouman – one of its founders – cautioned Alejos that the transplant procedure was still unproven.
“I was so sick, that even if my chances [of survival] were 10 percent, I’d have taken it,” he said.
His six brothers were tested as potential donors, and his oldest brother, Vincente, agreed to give Alejos one of his kidneys. Following the transplant, Vincente has had no issues living with just one kidney.
On July 23, 1973, Dr. Robert Levine (now deceased) – another of the program’s founders – performed what then was a new and rare procedure in Grand Rapids, transplanting the kidney into Alejos’ abdomen. The diseased kidneys were not removed, so he actually has three kidneys.
Every six months, Alejos visits the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center, and follows a healthy lifestyle to keep his kidney functioning. For 25 years, he worked in social services for the State of Michigan, retiring in 2001.
“Without the transplant, I would have been gone long ago,” Alejos said.
Lupe said, “I thank God every day. Thank you for giving us every day to enjoy life.”
The Alejos family also have a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and proudly display her statue at their home. They attribute Alejos’ transplant success to Our Lady’s intervention.
Because of his transplant, Alejos and his wife have been able to travel to Mexico and California to visit family members during these past five decades. The couple has also enjoyed raising their three children, who have given them seven grandchildren. “Now we are waiting for great grandchildren,” Lupe said with a smile.
As they reflected on the care they received at Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Alejos and Lupe shared their thoughts.
“Trinity Health Grand Rapids is a hospital you can trust for a kidney transplant and other health issues. I was so lucky to have dedicated doctors who took care of all my needs. The hospital has caring and attentive people. I would recommend them by all means,” Alejos said. “God works in mysterious ways. I think He chose those doctors to help me and others, and to use them for His purpose.”
Lupe added her thoughts as well: “I am so grateful to God, Vincente and the doctors for the years we have had together. I’ve had my share of illness too. And Guadalupe was able to be there for me because of his transplant.”
The couple’s gratitude also extends to organ donors, especially living kidney donors.
If you decide to do it,” Lupe said. “May God bless you. That is a big gift. I can’t say enough to those who decide to do it.”
Since 1973, The Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center has performed close to 3,000 kidney transplants. It is the first and only kidney transplant center in Michigan to partner with the National Kidney Registry, an extra avenue of hope for hard-to-match patients.
One of the latest technological innovations, robotic live donor nephrectomy, has created even more opportunities for live kidney donations for our patients. Transplantation services are provided by the most experienced multidisciplinary kidney transplant team – composed of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers, referral coordinators, financial coordinators, and medical assistants – in West Michigan.
To learn more about the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center, visit https://www.trinityhealthmichigan.org/find-a-service-or-specialty/kidney-transplants/
