Kidney transplant patients doing fine

By Alice Keesing
Advertiser Health Writer

Still groggy from the operating room, Lorena Diego and Edsel "Eddie" Ralar waved to each other after surgeons at St. Francis Medical Center successfully removed one of Diego's kidneys and transplanted it in Ralar yesterday.

Both patients were "doing fine" yesterday afternoon, said Dr. Whitney Limm, who removed Diego's kidney in a four-hour operation.

"Mr. Ralar received the kidney and it's been a couple of hours since the completion of the surgery, and her kidney is making urine in him — so that means it's working," Limm said.

Doctors will continue to monitor Ralar for signs that his body is rejecting the new organ.

Transplant experts say Diego's donation was an incredible gift. In August, she contacted the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai'i telling them she wanted to give her kidney to whomever needed it. While most donors are friends or family, Diego is the first person in Hawai'i to make such a "nondesignated" donation.

Diego and Ralar waved to each other through the door of his room as they rested in recovery after the surgery. Kidney foundation chief operating officer Julie Schweitzer joined the pair and their families, and described them both as in high spirits. "Eddie said he wants to play one-on-one basketball with his son tomorrow," she said.

Reach Alice Keesing at akeesing@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.