Gift of life: Husband receives kidney from wife

Giving and receiving is a part of life and for one couple, their marriage commitment to each other came true in a larger than life way.

Married for 18 years, Bruce and Tammy Hopp of rural Hewitt were at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis on July 14 to undergo kidney transplant surgery from wife to husband.

As a child Bruce had undergone many trips to the doctor for his limited kidney function. During his teens a virus attacked and damaged both his kidneys. The couple knew that eventually Bruce would need a stronger course of action.

“We just didn’t know how soon it would get to that pount,” Bruce said over the phone Aug. 17.

“Within the last four years I noticed a difference - a lot more tired for one thing,” said Bruce. “The past six months it’s gotten worse.” His kidney function had dropped below 13 percent, a life-threatening condition. “But my doctor said I was good otherwise and suggested that a transplant would be the best option. He did not want me to have to go through dialysis.”

A living donor is the best for the recipient, as being placed on a waiting list - even as the Hopps began the process four years ago - can be a lengthy wait. Testing begins with family members as they are usually the best tissue matches. Tammy suggested they start with her. She tested as the same blood type, continuing through the process which determined she was a very close match.

On July 14 the transplant was completed - Tammy’s part lasting three to four hours and Bruce’s surgery lasting five to six hours. 

“In the middle, we got to see each other,” said Tammy. “It was so special.”

Following their recovery period, the couple rented an apartment near the hospital as Bruce needed daily monitoring for any rejection syptoms or complications and to help regulate his necessary medications. Tammy’s recovery period was shorter and she has returned home and has returned to work at Express Central in Wadena. 

Bruce has lived at the apartment for five weeks, but was able to go home for one week in August.

“It’s nice to come home and get out of the big city,” said Bruce. “I feel like a million bucks right now.”

Bruce said he really didn’t know how sick he was until he started feeling better. The transplated kidney is functioning well, working on it’s own. “We are just so thankful for the doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital. Everyone was so kind and supportive. Many family members came down to spend the surgery day with us.”

For now his restrictions are not to lift anything over 15-20 pounds and he will take medications for the rest of his life. “It keeps me out of mischief,” he said. He does a lot of walking to aid in healing. “But now I’m cleared to drive, which is good,” he said. Bruce  returns to the hospital for continual checkups and will eventually get the go-ahead to need to return two days per week, then one day a week.

Since Bruce’s own kidneys still functioned - however limited - the surgical team left them in place.

“I am now a three-kidney man,” said Bruce. His real kidneys can function, but if they don’t, eventually they could shrivel and disintigrate. The “new” kidney is placed in the front abdominal area for better access. “Everything has gone well and we both are feeling pretty good.”

The Hopps say they are blessed to have undergone the transplant and blessed  with support of family, friends and co-workers. 

Bruce plans to return to work at  Lund Boats in New York Mills where he has worked for 19 years. 

The couple have three daughters, Hillary, Brittnay and Kylee. 

Bruce is a 1993 graduate of Staples High School and the son of Karen Hopp and the late Herb Hopp.

-Information included in this article from the story by Anna Erickson, Wadena Pioneer Journal, August 11 issue.