Donate Life Month: Johnston-Willis colleague receives life-changing kidney

Stephanie Toombs, 58, found out she had kidney disease by going to her annual OB-GYN appointment. The nurse asked her what medicine she took for her high blood pressure, which was a surprise to her because she wasn’t aware anything was wrong and wasn’t currently taking medication. Her subsequent blood work showed that her kidneys were losing function. This news wasn’t necessarily a surprise for Toombs because kidney disease runs deep in her family – the shock came because she had no symptoms.

“Kidney disease is a silent killer because the symptoms don’t show up until way later, once it’s progressed,” she said. “I was in stage 3 when I found out, and I felt fine. There is no pain.”

It was a slow progression, taking 20 years before Toomb’s kidneys ultimately failed. She then started dialysis while also working full-time as a pathology coordinator at Johnston-Willis Hospital. She hooked herself up to a machine for eight hours every night for two years. During this time, her name was included on a transplant list.

“It’s a waiting game,” she said. “It plays on you mentally. I see organs all the time working in pathology and I’m standing there knowing I’m in need, too. Sometimes when you’re in the medical field, you know a little bit too much.”

But in August 2022, she received a call she said she’ll never forget – the transplant team at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital had a kidney for her. She went from not having any kidney function – she was at 3% when she went in for surgery – to regaining her life. She said she is feeling a lot better and has energy now. Her work family at Johnston-Willis Hospital was a support system for her before, during, and after her transplant.

“Everyone has truly been there for me whether they called to check on me or sent cards,” she said. “It’s a real family. They surprised me for World Kidney Day in March and had a party.”

Toombs said she’s grateful for the transplant and wants others to know the serious implications of kidney disease. Both her son and her sister have it as well. Despite drugs or lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, there is no cure. “One in seven people have it, and usually by the time you find out, you’ve lost 90% of your function. There is no cure – and it’s not going anywhere.”

For more information about transplants and organ donation, please visit Henrico Doctors Hospital website.