The gift of a new kidney

Zebb Seabrook (left) gave one of his kidneys to Steve Colvin, of Camano Island, who was in need of a transplant. Steve Colvin, of Camano Island, has a working kidney again.

The Camano Island resident was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a condition where the kidney no longer filters the blood properly. The disease was a particular problem because he was born with only one kidney.

Zebb Seabrook, of Monroe, had offered Colvin one of his kidneys while the two were on a Sounder Train on the way to a Seahawks game.

Considering that Colvin is his best friend, close enough to be family, Seabrook said it was an obvious decision. Later, tests revealed that Seabrook's kidney was a match for Colvin.

The morning of June 23, Seabrook, Colvin and their families waited together in the waiting room at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. Seabrook was called first, and was put to sleep for the surgery. When he woke up, he asked his wife, Janell, "How many kidneys do I have?"

The answer was one.

While Seabrook and Colvin were recovering in the hospital, Janell and Heather Colvin, Steve's wife, decorated both hospital rooms with a different theme each day. The two also brought rubber ducks dressed in the theme and gave them to the doctors and nurses.

At a follow-up appointment, the staff of Virginia Mason turned the tables on Colvin, and all wore silly hats and visited him while he was with his doctor, Seabrook said.

Seabrook was told that after surgery, it was harder initially for the donor. After all, Colvin received one of Seabrook's healthy, working kidneys, and Seabrook went from being perfectly healthy to recovering from surgery.

Seabrook's abdomen was pumped full of gas prior to the surgery. That was the painful part, as it took about a week and a half for his body to get rid of it.

Colvin already feels better than before the transplant surgery, he said. As soon as Seabrook's kidney became his, it started filtering toxins out of his blood.

Currently, Colvin is on anti-rejection medication while his body adjusts to the new kidney. He's restricted in the weight of what he can lift, push or pull.

In addition, Colvin said he is supposed to limit his exposure to other people because his immune system is compromised.

In July, Colvin switched to long-term disability, which changed his medical coverage. He kept his coverage by participating in the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and paying 102 percent of the premium cost.

Colvin said his insurance switch went smoothly so far. He estimates he has enough donations in his medical account at Chase Bank to pay for his insurance through COBRA until he can return to work.

Colvin said he and his family appreciate all the support and prayers the community has given them.

At the moment, Colvin said he isn't sure he will be going back to Chase Bank. His manager has been wonderful in holding open his job as long as he could, but has been short staffed.

Colvin may end up at a different Chase branch, or in a new career entirely. He said he might want to pursue something in the medical field that would allow him to help kidney patients.

Whether or not he decides to pursue it as a career, Colvin said he and Heather plan to volunteer at the Puget Sound Kidney Center in Smokey Point with the patients who are on dialysis.

In addition, Colvin hopes to encourage people to become live organ donors. Just being registered as a donor through a driver's license isn't good enough, Colvin said. That registration doesn't specify what the person wants to donate.

Kidneys from live donors last longer for the recipient, he said. Around 65,000 people in the U.S. right now are waiting for a donated kidney.

Seabrook recommends it.

"It's been life changing for me," he said. He now realizes how much need there is for organ donation.

Five weeks later, Seabrook said he's back to full health.

Colvin is caring, thoughtful and generous, Seabrook said.

"He's the type of person who would give the shirt off his back."

Giving Colvin a kidney was the least he could do, Seabrook said.

"I had a four-week inconvenience, but Steve got the rest of his life back."

To find out more about organ donation or to donate, visit www.donatelifetoday. com.

Staff Reporter Kristi Pihl: 629- 8066 ext. 125 or kpihl@scnews.com.