After Three Years on the Donor’s List, Teacher Gets a Kidney

Written by: Tyisha Blade

According to Mayoclinic.org, kidney failure occurs “when your kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from your blood. When your kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of wastes may accumulate, and your blood’s chemical makeup may get out of balance.” The health re- source also states that kidney failure can be fatal and requires intensive treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks kidney failure as the tenth leading cause of death in adults. For one East Cleveland native, her persistence to fight and challenge her diagnosis ultimately saves her life. Her condition gave her a different perspective and she eventually received life-altering news: a kidney transplant had become available. One of Simone Hurd’s biggest feats was her battle with her health which included severe migraines and kidney failure. In 2016, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure from her doctor at

University Hospital. She then completed a series of tests including samples where doctors found high levels of protein in her urine. Her physician recommended she seek care from a kidney specialist. She said she followed up with the kidney specialist, but didn’t receive any information about her health status afterward.

“[I was told that] if you hear something, ‘bad news,’” she said. “I didn’t hear from them, I thought everything was good. That’s when I moved to Georgia.”

In 2017, the excruciating migraines continued. She remembers the migraines being relentlessly dreadful; her vision was impacted. During an unbearable migraine, she asked her mother to take her to the hospital. She underwent numerous tests at Dekalb County Hospital (which is currently known as Emery Hospital) located in Georgia. Upon the physician’s return, Hurd was asked if she knew that her kidneys were failing.

“I could remember my mom’s face to this day,” she said. “She was in complete shock.” Due to the high protein levels, Hurd’s kidneys began to fail and she was admitted and remained for over a week.

Upon Hurd’s release from the hospital, she received steroids to help manage her protein levels which caused massive weight gain, all to no avail. She later began peritoneal dialysis treatments in January 2018. For this treatment, a catheter was placed in Hurd’s abdomen to help remove waste products from her blood. “My body couldn’t clean itself because my kidneys aren’t working,” she said. Hurd began treatment from the comfort of her own home. “I chose this option because it wasn’t as harsh on my body [in comparison to other dialysis treatments] and I don’t have to sit at a center all day,” she added. “The process takes seven hours and I usually [did] while I [slept].”

She was able to get on The Kidney Transplant Waitlist in 2019 after more tests and an evaluation process. The initial evaluation is two hours. “There is also an educational class,” she said. “They let you know what to expect if you get ‘the call’ and what to do post-transplant.” They also talked about the medi- cations she would take and the different physicians and coordinators that she would meet. “Once you get on the list, in order to stay on the list you have to go back and get an evaluation every year. They want to make sure that you are still eligible to receive a kidney.” After testing, Hurd waited for the committee’s determination on whether or not she would receive a kidney.

In 2019, Hurd also began testing with brother Johnathon Hurd underwent testing to find out if he was a match for a kidney transplant. “Whenever [someone wants to donate], they have to go through extreme testing,” she said. Unfortunately, Jonathan was not a match. However, he agreed to participate in the Paired Exchange Kidney Donation. According to Kidney Registry, the procedure involves a donor giving their kidney to another recipient in exchange for a compatible kidney for their friend or family member. Hurd, her physicians and her family prepared for the paired exchange process. The excitement later dwindled when Johnathon was abruptly excluded from the transplant process. Hurd said there were protests that forbade people from walking in certain areas. Because Johnathon walked in this area, he was arrested. “He was really hurt about it,” she adds. “He apologized for a week straight. Everything else was a go, but because he was arrested, he could no longer donate.” With the tragic conclusion that she could no longer have her brother as a participant, she remained diligent in keeping her faith and her health. “ I have always kept the mindset that I still want to live my life,” she proclaimed.

“No matter if I am on a machine or not. I am not going to stop it from letting me have fun.” She also remembers moments when she was sick and would ask ‘why me, what did I do?’ She continued her dialysis treatments and began outreach to others in similar situations. She also made sure to keep dancing, an activity that motivated Hurd and others around her. “I just wanted to stay motivated, I wanted to stay in the gym,” Hurd said. “I could never stop dancing, it’s forever.” Hurd continued to teach at Kinderca- re Learning Center where she currently works with children transitioning them into kindergarteners. “ I love the kids,” Hurd said. “It’s about the interaction and seeing them get excited about learning. I also like coming up with the activities to help them understand.” She also mentions her support team keeping her motivated through the process. “[They] also always remind me that [they] are so proud of me,” she said. “It’s that village that randomly said things [to motivate me], even when they don’t know that I need it.”

Hurd was originally told that it could be 8-12 years before she received a matching donor. In 2022, she received the news that would forever change her life. “I was dismissing my children from class,” she recalls. “I saw a 404 number [calling on my phone] from Piedmont Transplant. They said they were calling to let me know that I was the third person in line for the transplant and that I should stay by my phone. Then I was like, ‘I have to call my mom’!”

When she got home that Monday evening in November, she paced the floor in anticipation. After a few hours she retired to her bed; her phone rang. Tuesday at 12:15 a.m., the transplant center called back. She and her mom rushed to Piedmont Transplant Center. She checked in at the center, changed into her hospital gown and braced herself for surgery. “I was so scared,” she exclaimed. “My mom and I had questions.” As Hurd’s doctors prepped her for the transplant, they told her about her donor. Hurd’s kidney was from a male in his early 30s. His parents wanted to donate to someone in need. The donor had already passed away. She said that’s as much as she was able to find out at that time. “Everything else is confidential,” Hurd said. “They don’t give names and that’s it.”

The surgery was nearly three hours with a two-hour recovery time. After Hurd’s recovery, her mother let her know that her surgery went well. Hurd was ready to walk just a few hours after. Doctors prepped her to get back to normal day-to-day functions where she was told about her new diet and medications she would take for the rest of her life. Hurd did physical therapy while she remained in the hospital, but later went home hopeful and happy on Saturday morning. “I did have a cane when I left, it helped with balance,” she added. “It took a couple of weeks to recover.” She said she feels the weight of the kidney and it takes it easy as she transitions back to her normalities.

She attributes much of her strength in getting through her process to her family and time growing up in East Cleveland. “My family is strong-minded and things like being in the band helped push me,” she said. “Band gave me a lot of discipline. It helped me stay on a regiment. It helped me stay motivated to work out. I’ve been through band camp. Those were some days!” Hurd returned to work January 2023. She continues to count her blessings and said she is almost back to normal; blood work and kidney functioning are good. She has also started back doing what she loves to do: dance.