Abilene mother of 7 works though wait for kidney transplant

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Like so many others waiting on a kidney transplant list, Abilene mother Kelsey Daughtery says dialysis is no walk in the park. With each day a gamble as to whether or not she will have the energy to power through work or join her family for fun times, she says she’s learned that life doesn’t stop for a sickness in her three years of treatment.

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“Most of the time it’s just the dizziness, the grogginess… Really can’t do nothing but lay down and sleep, like literally all day,” Daughtery said. “I have my good days and I have my bad… I still work and I still take care of my kids.”

One of those unmissable moments came Tuesday, April 16 with Daughtery’s youngest daughter’s 11th birthday. The mother gathered seven children, husband, nieces, nephews, and friends for a fun day at Nelson Wilson Park. Through the everyday pain, she said she was grateful to have the energy to be a part of the festivities.

“Just simple things, you know? I’m glad I’m able to have my baby a party… It’s the best thing ever to me,” smiled Daughtery.

Diagnosed with a disease of the kidney at birth, Daughtery’s dealt with infections and antibiotics her whole life. But that relatively manageable condition took a turn for the worse in 2021.

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“I had a really bad toothache. Like my whole face swelled up… They gave me antibiotics, didn’t work,” Daughtery recalled. “Two days later I went back. The nurse checked my blood and she was like, ‘you’re in renal failure. You have to get started on dialysis as soon as possible.'”

Three years has passed, and Daughtery is still in the process of getting on the waitlist for a kidney transplant. This period of time can be the most trying for those in need, according to Southwest Transplant Alliance Marketing and Communications Director Kelli James.

“There’s 100,000 people across the United States waiting for the gift of life and 10,000 of them live right here in Texas… These folks are really going through it. It’s a struggle having to get up every day, you’re not feeling your best,” explained James.

While Daughtery doesn’t always feel up to it, work and life come all the same for the mother of seven, who told KTAB/KRBC all she can do is take life as it comes and do her best to be a living example for her children while she can.

Knowing it might be years before she finds a match, Daughtery keeps her family in mind, “[I want to know] That they’ll be alright when I leave. Like, I believe they’ll be okay… They can always keep pushing. Like, you gotta be strong through everything.”

A symbol of her resilience was raised high above Hendrick Medical Center South in Abilene on Tuesday: A flag recognizing National Donate Life Month. The campaign brings awareness to the need for donors to help those in waiting, as well as honoring donors and their families for their contributions. Their decisions make all the difference for people like Daughtery.

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“It’s night and day. You see the light come back,” James added. “It’s just a complete game changer. They get their second chance at life… So, we hope that stories like this help people understand that these are local people in our community who need our help.”

Resources like Donate Life America, OrganDonor.gov, and the Southwest Transplant Alliance take time each April to educate the public on the benefits of donation as well as the great need for donors.

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