Wolfgang Sanyer

Wolfgang Sanyer

Transplant Type: Kidney

My name is Wolfgang Sanyer Sr.  This story describes why I need a kidney transplant.

Background - How did I get here?

I am a very healthy person: while I suffered the occasional flu, it was very rare. In 2009, at 42 years of age, my kidney functionality dropped to 29%. I had reached Stage Three Renal Disease caused by a congenital chromosomal tendency that makes my blood pressure rise during the night: these pressure spikes went unnoticed by my doctors, and over time they took their toll on my kidneys.

Diet and exercise have helped to manage my weight and bring my kidney functionality back up to 49%. Despite this remarkable improvement, they continued to deteriorate and in early 2015 a fistula was installed in my arm. This is a procedure that connects an artery to a vein which then enlarges and makes it easier to have hemodialysis. All of these health issues were ongoing while I struggled through a divorce, ending my 33-year marriage, and ultimately ending up living alone in New York.

In May of 2018, I was forced to begin dialysis. Due to my unemployment and dependency on a disability check, I also relocated to Fayetteville, NC.

Current State - Dialysis

Dialysis becomes life support: if you do not do it, you DIE. It has many side effects, and learning how to deal with them can be incredibly overwhelming. This becomes more challenging when you deal with the disease on your own. Here is a list of some of the consequences related to ESRD: 4-5 times a week, I need to insert a BIG needle into my arm; I have to take a wide variety of very expensive medications; every day, I have to keep very close track of my diet — what I eat and drink, but also how much, and at what time; the disease causes me to tire very easily, making it very difficult to find employment — even when I can gather enough energy to sift through job postings and submit an application, I am limited to applying only to part-time work due to time constraints I have related to the disease.

Aside from these lifestyle changes, there are other side-effects involved: High blood pressure; low blood pressure; dry skin — which causes itchiness; bloating; insomnia; restless leg syndrome; constipation; stomach aches; fatigue; tiredness; depression; etc...

I currently do Home Hemo Dialysis four times a week. It takes an average of five hours to complete a full procedure; this includes prep work and post-clean-up. I perform that entire procedure by myself.

 New Lease On Life - You can help!

I feel gifted and thank God for allowing me to continue living. I believe I could live a more normal life when I get a transplant. It will re-establish a sense of normalcy in my life.

I am currently listed at two centers and the cost of maintaining a support team for two to three months is very high, to the tune of about $30,000.00. My sons and I are working to fundraise this amount to ensure that I can afford the transplant once my name comes up on the list.

If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Wolfgang Sanyer” in the memo line.

Thank you for reading my story, please consider donating.

Have a blessed day!

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