Carol Patrylo's son Todd donated his organs after being killed by a drunk driver. Years later she needed a kidney and her best friend didn't hesitate<\/p>\n
ST. LOUIS When it seems like you're walking in circles, sometimes a friend can point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n
\"I think we had an instant connection,\" explained Carol Patrylo.<\/p>\n
Patrylo said her friend Cindy Mueller saved her life. And she isn't exaggerating.<\/p>\n
They met when they were both working as aides in the Lindbergh School District.<\/p>\n
\"I thought she was sweet and just loving and she thought I was nuts,\" Patrylo said with a laugh. \"And I am crazier than a lunatic.\"<\/p>\n
But Patrylo's world was shattered into little pieces when her 19-year-old son Todd was killed by a drunk driver in June 2000. Her only comfort was that Todd was an organ donor and helped save other lives.<\/p>\n
\"Three weeks before he died, he was doing Christian outreach in an orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico,\" Patrylo said. \"Cindy was so supportive and helped me get through this.\"<\/p>\n
But no one really gets through something like that. The light inside of her had gone out.<\/p>\n
\"I watched this woman lose her will to live,\" Mueller said. \"There were times that I would go to her house and get her dressed and drive her to work, just so I knew she wouldn't lay in her bed all day.\"<\/p>\n
Soon, her heart wasn't the only organ that was broken. After years of not taking care of herself, Patrylo went into stage 5 kidney failure and her doctor had to put her on dialysis.<\/p>\n
\"The problem with dialysis is every year on dialysis, your risk of dying goes up,\" said Dr. Chintalapati Varma of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.<\/p>\n
Her best option was a kidney transplant and so, her best friend got tested to see if she was a match.<\/p>\n
\"I didn't have to think about it,\" Mueller said. \"It was an instant thing my best friend needs a kidney.\"<\/p>\n
Almost miraculously, she was a match, but there was a problem. Mueller was overweight and pre-diabetic.<\/p>\n
\"I said, 'Well, I'm on a journey and I'm losing weight,\" Mueller recalled telling the doctors. \"So, we're going to make this happen.\"<\/p>\n
With diet and exercise, Mueller lost 54 pounds and then lost her kidney. Last month, doctors at SLU hospital put it in Patrylo during a successful transplant surgery.<\/p>\n
\"It's extremely rewarding for us, I mean that's why we went into this field,\" said surgeon Dr. Henry Randall. \"That's all I can say. It's just rewarding.\"<\/p>\n
Mueller called it a win-win.<\/p>\n
\"So, in giving her the gift of life, I was also able to get myself the gift of a healthy lifestyle,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Patrylo is promising to make the most of her second chance.<\/p>\n
One thing seems clear: for the rest of their journey, neither of these women will ever walk alone.<\/p>\n
\"I've got a lot to live for,\" said Patrylo. \"And I'm so blessed to have a friend like Cindy.\"<\/p>\n
Those interested in being a living donor can visit: http:\/\/www.ssmhealth.com\/transplant<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n View original post here: Carol Patrylo's son Todd donated his organs after being killed by a drunk driver. Years later she needed a kidney and her best friend didn't hesitate ST. LOUIS When it seems like you're walking in circles, sometimes a friend can point you in the right direction Continue reading
\nSt. Louis women were a perfect match for organ donation and as friends - KSDK.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"