In a testament to enduring love and unwavering commitment, Christie and Michael Thompson of Brooklet are preparing for a life-changing event: a kidney transplant that will see Christie donate one of her kidneys to Michael. Their story is one of shared history, devotion, and the profound decision that will grant Michael a renewed lease on life.
Their journey began in 1998 in Savannah, where Christie and Michael first met while he was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. They married in 2001 and built a beautiful family with two children. Their daughter, Breeanna, 27, is currently pursuing her master's degree at the University of Georgia, while their son, Kavan, 23, a Georgia Southern University graduate, works as a multimedia/graphic design specialist for Davis Marketing in Statesboro.
Michael's dedication extended beyond his family to a distinguished 25-year career in the Army, from 1994 to 2019. He retired as a First Sergeant (1SG) for the Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) at Fort Stewart and now continues his service to veterans as a Veterans Service Representative (VSR) for the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Michael's health journey took a significant turn as his kidney function declined due to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). For years, the couple understood that dialysis or a transplant were the only long-term options. When Michael was referred to Augusta University (now Wellstar), the possibility of a kidney paired donation (KPD) or "kidney swap" was initially explored. This program allows incompatible donor-recipient pairs to exchange kidneys, potentially shortening wait times for a compatible match.
"Our goal was to get all the testing completed so he could end up on the transplant list with the possibility to get the transplant sooner due to the KPD process," Christie explained.
The rigorous process, which took approximately a year, involved numerous lab tests, retests, and comprehensive health evaluations for both Christie and Michael. The aim was to ensure compatibility and rule out any underlying medical issues that could complicate the donation. Then, about three months ago, came the news that brought immense relief: Christie was a match.
"It was a much-needed relief to know that we would not have to wait too long for the surgery," she said at the time.
The decision for Christie to be the donor wasn't made lightly, but it was made with a profound sense of purpose. Conversations about Michael's declining kidney function and the eventual need for intervention had been ongoing for years. They knew a new kidney offered the best chance for a longer life, free from the burden of dialysis. Michael's blood type, O, presented both an advantage and a challenge. While it's a universal donor type, he could only receive a transplant from someone with the same blood type.
"If it was not for me being a match – it could have possibly been years to find another suitable donor," Christie reflected.
For Christie, the decision to donate was clear.
"There really was not a lot of thought that went into making the decision to donate. It was not something that I considered 'hard' to decide," she stated. "I knew that by me willing to donate it would allow our family to have more years to look forward to without being concerned about the continued decline of his kidneys and the likely dialysis process having to be part of our lives."
The ability to undergo the surgery without Michael needing to endure dialysis first is a blessing they both acknowledge many do not have.
The most challenging aspect of their journey thus far has been the sheer amount of time involved in testing and the waiting for next steps. What was once a tentative July 8th date for surgery has now been rescheduled, with the new target being sometime in September. The disappointment caused by the delay is a challenge, but the Thompsons are focused on staying positive.
As they look ahead to a surgery date in the near future, Christie and Michael are making practical and emotional preparations.
"We have both been getting all our affairs in order since this will be considered a major surgery," Christie shared.
They are particularly grateful for the support of Christie's aunt and uncle, Renee and Neil Faunce, who have committed to moving in with them to assist with their post-operative care.
"It is a true blessing that they have made that decision to help, without them all this wouldn't be possible," Christie emphasized.
They are thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers they've received, and they continue to keep others in their thoughts who are facing similar challenges without the same support system or opportunities. The Thompsons' story is a powerful example of the strength found in selfless love.
