Brother’s gift enhances holidays
By Robert Wolfington IIILAKE BENTON - The Schlapkohl family of Lake Benton received a holiday present early this year - everyone in the family was healthy.
Everyone was healthy in November, including ElsieAnn Schlapkohl, who underwent her second kidney transplant in early November, and received the donated organ from her older brother, Michael.
On Christmas Eve, ElsieAnn, a senior at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton High School, said she was feeling good and was ready to go back to school in the next few days after a seven-week absence
"I have been doing really good," ElsieAnn said. "Everything has been going perfect."
To have ElsieAnn say she has been doing well is a powerful statement. She had an initial transplant before this year that was not successful.
"It's a huge relief and a great blessing," Michael said. "We were very nervous about it and didn't know what to expect. We didn't want to think about it not working, but, of course, that was in the back of everyone's mind."
Michael was the second preferred donor when ElsieAnn had her first transplant surgery.
When she was healthy enough for the second surgery, Michael was willing and doctors moved ahead.
"It's a pretty big deal, I'm just glad I was able to help her out," Michael said "She had already had the first one that failed; we were really excited this one worked. We're glad she is doing good now."
Michael said his blood type served as a perfect match for the transplant, and the decision was initially made to save his kidney for a second transplant later in his sister's life.
"The first time a few years back I went and got tested, I ended up being a perfect match," Michael said. "I was going to be the donor but they had asked if anyone else had the same type of blood. They knew down the road she will have to have another transplant - 15, 20, 25 years from now."
But the timing was right in November and the surgery was completed.
"Everything was perfect, I don't remember how long the surgery lasted, but I was feeling pretty good right after the surgery," Michael said. "I was in the hospital for less than two full days."
ElsieAnn said the transplant took about an hour-and-a-half to complete
"The surgery took about three hours. He was right next door to me in the operating room and they took his kidney out at about 11 a.m.; they put his kidney in me by about 11:30 a.m. and I was out of surgery by about 12:30 p.m."
Her brother's gift has made life more normal for ElsieAnn.
"I get to eat whatever I want, I don't have to do dialysis any more," ElsieAnn said. "I have to exercise and maintain my weight, but that is nothing compared to what I've had to do."
Her ordeal has made her healthier, and it's also enhanced the relationship she has with Michael and her other brother Jon.
"(Michael) and my younger brother have a close relationship," said ElsieAnn. "I feel like with this now Michael and I are even closer. My brothers and I are closer than we have ever been."
