At age 16, Susan Hardy felt, acted and thought just like every other teenager. However, she would soon find her life was about to change forever.

In 1973, Susan became concerned when she realized her blood had trouble clotting. She went to her doctor and was told she was anemic. Time passed, and Susan still did not feel well. As her health diminished, she decided to admit herself to the hospital. “I felt horrible. At the hospital my blood pressure was 290/180. They had me on a stretcher basically waiting to have a stroke,” said Susan. While at the hospital, doctors told her something was wrong with her kidneys, but they could not explain why.

During Susan’s senior year in high school, she could barely function. Due to her illness, many days passed where she was unable to attend school. “I wanted to know what was wrong,” exclaimed Susan. In 1974, after graduation, Susan’s father wanted her to visit his doctor. “I saw my father’s doctor, but he told me that whatever was wrong was above him,” said Susan. Becoming frustrated, she went to Riley Hospital for Children, located in Indianapolis. At Riley’s, she was told she had end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In November of that year, Susan began hemodialysis for eight hours a day, three times a week. Susan remained on dialysis for six months. On April 3 of the following year, she received a transplant from her brother. “He was a perfect match. It was a surprise,” said Susan.

With her transplant, Susan felt great and was about to receive another huge surprise. “My stomach felt weird. I thought maybe I was nauseous or my stomach was upset. However, that was definitely not the case,” laughed Susan. After visiting her doctor, Susan learned she was pregnant. “At that time, not many people knew a lot about kidney disease and pregnancy. The doctors tried to talk me into having an abortion,” said Susan. Now faced with the hardest decision of her life, Susan did not know what to do.

Confused about her decision, Susan prayed. “I prayed to God. I prayed to my grandmother,” said Susan. At her next appointment, she saw a different doctor. This doctor told her that she was even further along than previously expected – she was five months pregnant.

“The doctor asked if I had felt anything move lately. I told him I thought it was just gas,” said Susan. He explained that it was her baby moving. The doctor’s next step was the final deciding factor Susan needed in this life-changing decision. “He let me hear the heart beat, and I knew right then that I was keeping my baby,” said Susan.

On Oct. 18, 1976, Susan gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Amanda. Susan was ecstatic and overjoyed with her new baby.

However, just as Susan previously overcame her life’s obstacles, she once again would face a monumental challenge. This challenge was one that Susan had never faced before, and it would change her life forever. “After having the baby… I don’t know what it was exactly, but I was upset from the shock of the transplant and everything else. I began to drink heavily, and I lost custody of my daughter when she was seven,” said Susan. Not being able to handle the stress of losing her child, she moved to Colorado to start over. “I took off. I ran away from my problems,” said Susan.

In 2003, Susan moved back to Indianapolis. She began to feel sick. Her blood pressure started to rise and she noticed skin cancers. Once again, things were not going well. “Doctors told me my medications were making me sick,” said Susan. Unfortunately, after further testing, she was diagnosed with renal artery stenosis. Consequently, after 28 years of maintaining her transplant, Susan’s kidney failed.

In October 2003, Susan once again started dialysis. She now receives peritoneal dialysis. “It restricts me a little bit now. I dialyze for nine hours at night, and then I have to get up early and do one exchange in the morning, but I feel great,” said Susan. In addition to returning home, Susan also became close with her daughter again, and her three grandchildren. “I love my grandchildren. I try to see them every day. I want to see them grow up. They are my inspiration,” said Susan.

Susan spends a lot of time cooking and enjoys every minute of it. She also loves having dinner parties and spending time with her daughter and grandchildren. “I like to make my own recipes. Sometimes I take what I see on television and modify it. My favorite dish is my zucchini casserole,” laughs Susan.

This article originally appeared in the May 2005 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 20, No. 6.

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