For nearly 10 and a half hours a night, Cole Medina undergoes dialysis. That means at just 23 years of age, a machine is relied upon to keep the Hahnville graduate and Luling resident alive.
Medina, who has battled kidney disease for nearly his entire life, needs a kidney transplant. For over a year, he has searched for a donor. While he is on the waiting list for a new kidney, the process of reaching the top of that list can take years, and two months ago Medina reached the stage where dialysis was necessary for him to survive.
“It’s hard at times,” Medina said. “I get depressed over it. Ultimately, there’s nothing I can do about it. But it’s difficult. The dialysis takes a huge toll on my body.”
A kidney transplant would represent the second transplant surgery he’s undergone in his life, the first coming just before the age of 5.
That kidney lasted for 17 years. But three years ago, he began having problems that hinted at the need for another transplant.
The focus now is on finding a kidney match and willing donor for Medina, which thus far has been easier said than done. Medina’s mother, Tammy Nichols, and Medina’s brother and sister alike were each been ruled out by doctors as viable donor candidates, which means it will most likely have to come from someone outside of the family.
“I’d give him my kidney in a second,” said an emotional Nichols. “It breaks my heart. It’s stressful to see him suffering with this … I wish it were me and not him.”
Nichols has appealed several times to be able to donate her kidney for her son, but health issues on her end are likely to make that impossible.
“I have rheumatoid arthritis and have had a mild heart attack … chances are, they won’t let me do it,” Nichols said. “I’ve been trying to get them to, but they haven’t been optimistic on that. They don’t want to put me at risk either.”
Medina’s blood type is A positive. A kidney donor can be A positive, A negative or O.
“He’s got a good blood type, matches up with a lot of people,” Nichols said.
Twice last year, potential donors came forward to help but ultimately had to withdraw. Since then, Medina hasn’t been able to find anyone.
“It’s understandable for sure – being a donor is scary,” Medina said. “And I’m scared, too, so I know where they’re coming from.”
The dialysis treatment represents the second time Medina has undergone that in his life, the first coming when he was very young.
“He was too young to remember that at all,” Nichols said. “He was just a baby.”
This time has been tough on him. It’s caused him considerable pain in his shoulder on top of the overall discomfort.
He is also at constant risk of becoming ill due to the immune suppression drugs his condition has necessitated throughout his life.
Medina said his support system of family and friends have made his situation more bearable.
“I just try not to think about everything. They help me keep my mind off it,” Medina said.
Added Nichols, “We make sure he’s never in that hospital by himself.”
Those interested in donating or knowing more may contact Rebecca Guillera, Ochsner transplant coordinator, at (504) 842-3925 or contact Nichols on Facebook or at (504) 338-1446.
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