#afutureforadam

The story about my kidney transplant and its impact on my life and the life of my family.

News & Updates

September 12, 2024

One year! It is amazing that one year has gone by.  When I started on this journey, I had no idea how things would go, or the possibilities of how well they could go. When Shauna made the selfless decision to donate and set everything in action with the members of our chain, things accelerated.  Everything moved so quickly.  When I woke up from the transplant, I felt incredible! My wonderful wife and family took good care of me, and I was home in no time. The numerous appointments for the first weeks were challenging, but the news was always good, and Kerry was always at my side. I was very lucky. I followed the directions from the transplant team, and the appointments went to monthly.  At my last appointment this week, I’ve been moved to regular office visits.  The last few visits, I was told I was the ‘best’ patient from the perspective of lab results. I finished my respiratory treatments this week as well!

A year ago, I would have never guessed how extraordinary ‘regular’ life would be. It has been a great summer.  We’ve done a lot of work around the house, enjoyed our local parks, and just had a lot of quality family time.  Without the weight of dialysis, the uncertainty of the transplant, and the reassurance of having good doctor’s visits, I was able to focus on the important things in life, and just relax when I had that opportunity. Life has been good this summer!

I have to thank so many people. First and foremost, Shauna.  The first link in our chain. So many people’s lives and families were touched by her decision.  Joseph. Your kidney has been remarkable and has found a wonderful home. I’m taking the best care of it!  My wife and family who have been so supportive through everything. They also take care to ensure that I’m taking good care of myself.  I’m also so thankful for my large circle of friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers who are genuinely interested in my progress, and how things are going. All those that prayed for me and our chain. Answered prayers are remarkable. I’ve been touched and humbled by the power of prayer that I’ve witnessed over the past couple years. God is good!

The two pictures:  The animated GIF is from eleven of the twelve Pentamidine treatments at Christ Hospital.  This alcove is just before I get to the treatment room I stopped for a picture just before the treatments.  The chart is my creatinine levels from November 2022 through August 2023. Stunning progress and continuing good numbers.

April 3, 2024

A little behind, but a picture from Easter.  Visited with my Mom and Lou, as well as Nick, Chris and their boys.  It was a nice visit, and we enjoyed catching up with everyone. 

Nick sent a few pictures from Neighbors of Cold Spring Magazine.  It is heart warming to see Shauna, my, and our "Daisy Chain of Goodness" story shared.  I hope everyone is doing as well in recovery as we are.

It is so nice to see spring in full bloom. 

God is good!


April 3, 2024

Waited to post this on April 3rd.  It is National Donate Live Month, and the 3rd is Living Donor Day!  My life is so different now, and I owe it all to Shauna! I want to call out the other living donors that have made other lives better: Dana and Christy. Your gifts have made the world a better place, and your stories are inspirational!

There are always people looking for donors.  I am trying to help spread the word of those looking.  I have a list published here: https://www.afutureforadam.com/others-searching. 

It is always nice to see when someone gets their transplant, and share in their joy and excitement.  Scott had his transplant this week, from an anonymous donor who happened to see one of his signs. It has been nice to see their happy story.

March 22, 2024

Had my six month check in at Christ today with this wonderful doctor, Dr. Valavoor. He was on of the doctors who watched over my first several days of recovery.  He was always cheerful, and pleasant.  It was great getting to talk with him today.

 

All of the news from the visit was honestly the best that I could hope for.  The key indicators were all good, and the rest of them were all well in the green/healthy ranges.  Even my Donor-Specific Antibodies test came back clear.  Six months is a big landmark for not having any significant issues.  I'm hopeful after my next visit, I'll start on a three month schedule, we'll see.


Hope everyone else is well. Thoughts and prayers are with Shauna & Joseph, as we cross into the later parts of recovery.  Hopefully today's rain leads to more bright spring days.






December 13, 2023

Hard to believe that three months have already passed since the transplant.  It has been nice to focus on the holidays with my family and for the first time, in a very long time, not have the weight of my health issues on me.  I'm feeling well, and am getting back to 'normal' life. My medical team has been fantastic, and have been keeping a good eye on me.  Shauna and Joe, I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas! Hope that everyone else has a great holiday season as well! God has been good, and I hope everyone is blessed this Christmas.

Looking forward to 2024, and all the good in the future.

#lifeaftertransplant

Monday November 20, 2023


A little late with this update. We've passed the two-month mark since surgery, and the one-year anniversary of this group. Truly amazing how much has happened in two months, and in that year as well.

I had a follow up today, and it's always nice to see how happy everyone is to see me. All good news, and expectations are that the good news will continue. I'm in an every other week cadence. It doesn't seem like much, but the freedom is wonderful!

Two pictures: The first is me at my second home. Chilly, but still a nice day. The second is my new piece of jewelry, and my large medicine organizer. It has a lot less pills than when I first was released.

Lastly, I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Shauna, Joe, and the rest of our chain. All the fantastic doctors, nurses and staff. And finally, all my family, friends, and co-workers who supported me. God has truly been good. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Take time this holiday to rest and enjoy time with family.

#lifeaftertransplant

Friday November 3, 2023


At the hospital, this morning. This is my Pentamidine treatment. It's a little unusual, as I spend about 30 minutes in a 'phone booth' with that apparatus. It's pretty easy. Ten more treatments to go.

Check up this morning went exceptionally well. All labs were good, and there were no changes to medicine. Dr. Valavoor gave me a fist bump and told me to keep it up.

Looking forward to the weekend. Hope everyone has a good one!

#lifeaftertransplant

Tuesday October 24, 2023


It may not be the most exciting picture, but this is me at the end of my first day of work since September 11th. It was interesting and in many ways, it felt like my first day of work. It was good to get back with my teams, and co-workers. Everyone was very welcoming. My doctors are pleased that I'm work from home (in the basement office), and that means I'm well isolated from germs.

No real health updates, which is fantastic. I do have labs and an appointment later this week.

Hope everyone is enjoying the fall colors, and gearing up for Halloween.

#lifeaftertransplant

Wednesday October 18, 2023

Today was a fantastic day!  It was my fifth week anniversary from surgery.  I had my check up at Christ which went well, and then had an interview with Fox19. Ashley Smith was wonderful, and I got to catch up wih Emilee, Breanna, and Shauna.  So good to see everyone!  Special thanks to James Buechele who coordinated everything and everyone.

Here is the link to the story and video on Fox19:

https://www.fox19.com/2023/10/18/kidney-exchange-program-gives-sharonville-man-new-lease-life/ 

#lifeaftertransplant

Wednesday October 4, 2023

Hello Everyone, 

Today marks three weeks from the transplant.  I had an appointment and labs this morning, and the news is good.  My white blood cell count is slightly low, but everything else is where it should be. There have been some reduction in medication, which is fantastic. Shauna returned to work last Thursday, and is doing well.

I wanted to take some time to give a 'Thank You So Much' to everyone who has provided a meal to the Hoffman family since the surgery, or has given us a gift card, or is on the remaining schedule to do so.  The meals have been outstanding and have really eased the stress of the post surgery period.  Days with the labs & appointments are difficult, and it is nice to be able to recover without having to plan, cook, and clean.    

A special thanks to Jane, who has been coordinating this effort seamlessly. 

Even though I only have a few people on this page from Kroger, I received a kind virtual card, and a generous gift card for Uber Eats. So thoughtful and such a pleasant surprise. That will help with the day to day load as I continue to work through recovery.    I have missed working with my teams.  

Hope everyone is well.

#lifeaftertransplant

Sunday October 1, 2023

Such a nice day, Kerry and I ventured out to Chuy's for lunch. We were well isolated, and had a great lunch.

Special thanks to Kerry who has been taking good care of me for the last several weeks. She's been my home care nurse, driver, and house manager while I've been recovering. There's a few weeks left (at least that's my current understanding), before I'm given the OK to return to normal life.

Hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather this weekend. Happy October!

#lifeaftertransplant

Wednesday September 27, 2023

Good evening everyone! I meant to take a picture this morning to celebrate two weeks, but the follow up appointments this morning went long, and I was pretty wiped. All good news, and some medicine adjustment.

Anyway after a nap, dinner, and a walk around the hood, I'm feeling much better.

Here are all of the cards and notes from everyone. Each one delivered a boost of energy and lifted my spirits. I've said it before, all of your support, thoughts, prayers, notes, and FB posts have kept me going. Thanks to you all!

#lifeaftertransplant

Wednesday September 20, 2023 


One week today! New kidney is kicking some butt!

At Christ doing the slog of the follow up labs and appointments. It's a great day!

#lifeaftertransplant

Sunday September 17, 2023 

First full day at home and I've spent it reflecting on the miraculousness of the past week. So many good things happened, and today I absorbed all of them. Be prepared, long post.

Medical stuff initially. From Dr. Valavoor: "We don't always see perfect outcomes, but yours is really close to ideal." The new kidney started right up and has been very active all week. Creatinine is just over one, and BUN reading was equally impressive. All incisions are healing. I have about 40 staples, and the IV in my neck is improving. I'm mobile, and pain has been manageable. Each day is better. My weight is lower than when I went in, and I need a haircut. Really minor things. Oh, and I have the world's largest pill organizer.

The transplant team and Christ staff were truly wonderful. Always engaging, full of energy, professional, and supportive. Dr. Plews, Dr. Cuffy, Dr. Valavoor, Emilee, Amy, Caleb, Ebony, Savannah, Beau, Amanda, Molly, Charity, and Katelyn. I'm sure there were numerous others.

I spoke with Ebony who watched over us pre-op, and me on Saturday. Shauna was her first live donor, and I her first live recipient. I won't re-hash the whole story, but it is just so incredible that such a complex series of events all fell perfectly into place to bring us here. Telling the story into the recovery stage really hits differently. I'm still hoping that we learn more about our chain. Also hope that they are all recovering as well. I spent some time one night just praying prayers of thanks for everything and everyone that has been involved in this miraculous process. God is good! I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

A special thanks to everyone who has been bringing meals, sending cards and notes, texts, and Facebook comments. All the support has been incredible, and kept me going this week.

Now onto the month of follow up appointments...

#lifeaftertransplant

Wednesday September 13, 2023 

Thursday September 15, 2023


 

Tuesday September 12, 2023 6:32 PM

Today is the day! It has been a rollercoaster of a day. We were set and ready to be at the Christ at 3, but then got word of a transportation issue with my new kidney. Surgery has been postponed until 11:00PM. Everything is in order, and I'm part way prepped. Spoke to Emilee and she ensured us that everything is on track. It'll just be a long day. I won't remember much after surgery. Yay me!

It has been a whirlwind this week, and saying that I am overwhelmed is an understatement. I have received such a warm outpouring of love, support, prayer, kind words, and well wishes. Always amazed by the number of wonderful people we have around us. Everything is lined up for this, and all of the people and families involved. Thanks to everyone who has messaged me, Kerry, and Shauna.

Shauna is resting and recovering. She is my hero, along with the other four donors in our daisy chain.

We'll update when we can, but it'll be early in the am.

Appreciate the continued prayers.



Tuesday September 12, 2023 - 12:45 PM

Today is the day! I spoke with the transplant team this morning, and everything is on schedule and still a go.  All of the donors procedures are underway, or finished, and the recipients will start soon.

 It has been a whirlwind this week, and saying that I am overwhelmed is an understatement.  I have received such a warm outpouring of love, support, prayer, kind words, and well wishes.  Always amazed by the magnitude of wonderful people we have around us. Everything is lined up for this, and all of the people and families involved. 

Shauna should be out of surgery, and we'll be heading to Christ in a short while.  Time has slowed down, but I'll be in recovery in no time.  Before we went to bed last night we shared a phone call with Shauna, and it was good to get to talk to her, and pray with her, before her procedure.  Kerry will be checking in on her, as soon as I'm registered, and taken back.

The two pictures are where I'm currently at.  The top one is my dialysis machine, my mechanical partner who has kept me alive since late February.  I've been attached to him for at least eight hours a day.  He's not been the friendliest, and complains occasionally in the middle of the night, but has done his job well.  This morning was the last time, I'll see this message. The bottom picture is a gift from one of my neighborhood friends. She saw these and knew how meaningful they would be for Shauna and I.  Given the the Guardian Angels we have watching over us today, and through out our recovery.

I'll update when I'm able.

Saturday September 9, 2023


Saw this today, and realized how big of a change this coming week will be in my life. While I'm still a little nervous, I'm feeling the excitement of resetting my health. Continuing all of the good habits, but not having to do daily dialysis, or scrutinize my eating and fluid consumption. Big, incredible change.


We got the final checkmarks on the list today, and my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday the 12th at 7PM. It isn't clear where my kidney is coming from, but expect that it's from the west coast. I'll go into ICU for a day or so, and then a few days of recovery before coming home on Saturday. It's a ten person chain, with five donors and five recipients, spread across five medical centers. An incredible medical marvel.


Been in touch with Shauna, and she is ready to go, and such an incredible partner in this. She's always energetic and ready with a prayer or encouraging words. She'll be done with her procedure before we even leave for the hospital, but we should be in recovery together.


Truly appreciate all of the prayers, support, and kind words from everyone. Neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers. You've all been so warm and supportive. It's good knowing everyone is pulling for us, and a successful outcome for all involved.

Saturday September 2, 2023

Thanks to the Dunlevys for trucking up to Sharonville and coming to mass with us. Enjoyed having dinner with Shauna and her wonderful family. We're on an incredible journey. Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers and support. 

As of this writing, surgery for Shauna is 6AM on September 12th, and mine is at 7PM on the 12th as well.  Details are light, but our understanding is that there is a chain of 10 people involved (donors and recipients) in this paired exchange.

Here is a picture of the combined families, minus Ron and Shauna's oldest and his wife.

Friday August 30, 2023

Shauna and I spent the day at Christ Hospital today with some members of our remarkable transplant team. Completed some testing and discussed a lot of the details of the process. It is a multiple person chain that spans several medical centers. Everything is a go at this point. Many thanks to Shauna, Emilee, and Breanna who made today's visit pleasant & enjoyable. The countdown is on! Continued prayers sincerely appreciated. 

Friday August 18, 2023


The Christ Transplant Team and the National Kidney Registry have been hard at work! The call came in today that they have completed a paired kidney donation chain, and the surgeries are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday September 12th. Stunned and ecstatic about this news! I’m now working on getting mentally prepared for the journey ahead.

I have to thank Shauna again for her selfless and kind act. Her donation enables at least two other people to have a future with their loved ones, and helps restore some normalcy to their lives. When I coined A Future for Adam, this was my biggest hope: having a future for me with my family and friends.

I have to thank everyone who has prayed for us in this process as well. There is an aspect of the divine here, and I feel it: I’m overwhelmed and genuinely humbled by it. For the rest of my days, I will carry this energy with me. Thanks to you and Shauna, I now have a future to look forward to, an exciting journey, and one with many bright and happy days. This is something I’ve been hoping for since my kidneys started their inevitable decline.

Please continue your prayers for Shauna, myself, our respective families, and all the others who are still waiting for a transplant. Also for a young boy I know who is having a procedure done tomorrow.

Here is a link for paired kidney transplants, as it explains it better than I could: 

Friday June 23, 2023

I had a wonderful surprise call from Emilee at Christ on Thursday – I have a living donor!  Shauna Dunlevy has stepped up and has gone through the evaluation to be a donor.  Unfortunately she is not a match for me directly, but wants to donate in order that someone can donate a lifesaving organ to me. It is a truly selfless and kind act from a wonderful person.  I am beyond touched, and still working to process this. She is my hero.  I’ve been a bit overwhelmed, excited, and emotional.

This is a huge step forward for me, as this sets the wheels in motion for a transplant.  There is obviously not a rigid schedule, at least not yet.  I will keep everyone informed of my progress.  I meet with Emilee on Monday largely for paperwork. I will still be looking for a donor, as until I have a match, I am still on the search.

I want to thank everyone for their continued support, prayers, and positive energy.  Please include Shauna and her family in that circle as well. 

A quick note about Shauna for those who don’t know her:  She is married to Ron Dunlevy who grew up with me in Cold Spring.  She and Ron live on Weaver with their family, and Ron’s parents are still neighbors with my Mom and Lou. 

Information on Donor chains: Donor chains work similarly to paired kidney donations, in that they take advantage of healthy and willing—but incompatible—donors. The chain is initiated by what is called a non-directed donor. A non-directed donor is someone (Shauna) who offers to donate a kidney without a designated recipient, but with the explicit wish to donate to someone in need of a transplant. Kidneys from non-directed donors are used to initiate a cluster of kidney transplants for incompatible donor/recipient pairs.