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Scott AFB couple receives 'gift of life'

  • Published
  • By Laura McAndrews
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILL. --  After years of waiting, a Scott AFB couple has finally received a much needed kidney.

Mike Lehnen said he learned of his kidney problems 26 years ago after being denied admission to the Air Force because of protein in his kidney.

"I was disappointed because I really wanted to be an avionics electrician," Mr. Lehnen said.

"14 years ago was when I first learned that my kidney dysfunction had continued to decrease and I would eventually need a transplant," Mr. Lehnen said.

Mr. Lehnen bases the success of the surgery on being "very healthy, and I don't have any medical problems other than focal symmetrical glomerulonephritis (kidney dysfunction)."

"The kidneys are the filtering agents for your body; they get rid of nasty toxins," explained Lt. Col. Lisa DeDecker, a retired Air Force nurse and a long-time friend of the Mr. Lehnen's wife. "It was getting to the time where Mike was about to have to go onto dialysis, which is supposed to do the filtering job for the kidneys."

"Mike was keeping as healthy as possible to put off dialysis as long as possible, he was trying to get a transplant before needing to go on dialysis," added Colonel DeDecker.

It takes a lot to even make it to the list.

"To be placed on a kidney transplant list, I had to go through a screening process that included blood work, X-ray, cardiac stress test, psychological exam, an interview with a social worker, and dental examinations yearly," Mr. Lehnen said. "In addition, I had blood drawn to check my lab work every month."

Little did he know that his wait was almost complete.

Lieutenant Col. Lenora Cook, Mr. Lehnen's wife, said advances in his transplant started moving rapidly at the end of February. Colonel Cook is the branch chief, Hq. AMC Aeromedical Operations and Training.

Colonel Cook said she was inspired by Adm. Mike Mullen's visit to Scott AFB, where he talked about the importance of family. Admiral Mullen is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"[The admiral] directed each military member in attendance to go home and thank their family members for their support," said Colonel Cook.

And that's just what Colonel Cook did when she got home that night.

"[My husband and I] discussed his ability to continue this same level of support due to his failing kidneys and his impending need for dialysis," Colonel Cook said. "Little did we know, three days later he would receive the loving gift of a kidney transplant!"

Captain (Dr.) Jeffery Lowell, a U.S. Public Health Service Reserve officer with the Air Mobility Command Surgeon General's office, said the amount of time spent waiting on the transplant list depends on a variety of things.

"The best chances are with a live donor, but it also depends on the blood type and [the] part of the country they live in," said Captain Lowell. "But [the wait is] usually about a year or a little more."

"He was on the transplant list in California, but, when they moved he had to be put on list here at Scott," said Colonel DeDecker.

Mr. Lehnen was on the transplant list for more than four years.

"The day prior to my transplant, I told my friends I hoped to get a kidney within a year," Mr. Lehnen said.

"Then they got that incredible phone call," added Colonel DeDecker. "It's hard not to get all excited, but Lenora, being a medical professional, knew that there was still lots of other testing and steps that had to be done before being absolutely sure it was a match."

Fortunately, it was.

"It was like winning the lotto," Mr. Lehnen said. "I could not believe all my numbers matched."

"I was kind of wary when he was going through the operation," said Marty Simard, Mr. Lehnen's friend of more than 18 years. "It's scary, a friend going on the table like that."

Colonel Cook said that the surgical team kept them constantly up to date on her husband's condition. An hour after the surgery began, she received a call with an update and confirmation that everything was going as planned.

"The continuous visits by interns, residents, surgeons, nurses and technicians were impressive yet exhausting," added Colonel Cook. She said she was amazed when her husband "walked down the hall within the first 24 hours after his surgery."

According to Captain Lowell, who performed the surgery at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., the recovery time is "usually three to four days in the hospital and then a few weeks recovering at home after that."

"Mike was like the perfect patient. He did what he was told," Colonel DeDecker said. "And when he realized he didn't like the food at the hospital, he decided to get better and get out of there."

Colonel Cook said Captain Lowell is a great surgeon and she felt an instant connection with him because of his military experience. She explained that they upheld military tradition by exchanging coins. "I've carried his coin every day since [the surgery]," said Colonel Cook.

Captain Lowell said that a new kidney does wonders for its recipient.

"It's a short trip from where the patients were, to feeling better than normal," explained Captain Lowell. "They finally get to eat what they want, travel, they don't always need to be near a dialysis center, they get to live the American dream."

When Mr. Lehnen left the hospital, he was given strict instructions "not to lift more than 10 pounds and no driving," Colonel Cook said. "I know he is feeling better because he complains about the restrictions."

"One thing I'm really looking forward to is being able to eat anything I want with the exception of grapefruit and uncooked food," Mr. Lehnen said. "The major thing I'm looking forward to is living a long healthy active life with my wife without being tied to dialysis."

He said people waiting to receive an organ need to "take care of yourself and remain optimistic and find someone that you can count on, like my wife, Lenora."

Mr. Lehnen and his family and friends are extremely grateful for his new kidney.

Colonel DeDecker calls the donation "an incredible gift of life."

"It is our wish to thank this family and the family members of other individuals who have given the precious gift of life by supporting the donation of their loved one's organs," Colonel Cook said.

Mr. Lehnen said he would like to thank everyone who donates their organs, not just the kidneys. "They are truly giving a gift of life that allows recipients to live a normal life," he said.