Soldier Donates Kidney to Mother

A soldier from Fort Sill, Okla., was finally able to donate a kidney to his mother on Wednesday, according to the Lawton Constitution.

Army Specialist Frank Chapman, 27, had been fighting the Army for permission to donate a kidney to his ailing mother, Patricia, age 54, who was suffering from kidney disease and was on dialysis three times a week.

Chapman was found to be a match for his mother, but last month his request to donate his kidney was denied by the Army, who voiced concerns that the donation could lead to later medical problems for Chapman. He said their concern was over a high blood pressure reading at a hospital.

"How would you tell your mom two weeks before the surgery that, 'Oops, I can't give you a kidney," Chapman told KSWO-TV in Lawton.

It was urgent that Patricia received the kidney as soon as possible, because her health was rapidly deteriorating, said Frank's sister, Patience Marsh.

The ruling was disputed by Spc. Chapman and his wife, and eventually doctors at Reynolds Army Community Hospital and Shands Hospital cleared him for surgery. Following a 24-hour period of blood pressure monitoring, the Army Surgeon General's office agreed to reconsider their opinion.

Chapman learned that the request had been granted during a teleconference with the Army Surgeon General and the office of U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes of New Hampshire (D). He had this to say of the Army's approval, "There's a lot of stress lifted off my chest at this moment in time, because for a minute there I thought I was going to have to go AWOL." He had said that he had planned to be in Florida for the operation no matter what the Army's decision.

Rep. Hodes also said that the Army is expediting a request that Chapman made for a "compassionate reassignment" so that he will be able to care for his mother.

On Wednesday, June 13, Chapman underwent surgery to donate a kidney to his mother. A minimally invasive laprascopic procedure was used to remove his kidney and it is reported that both mother and son were in good condition at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida Medical Center.

"This son has given his mother a precious gift," said Dr. Alan Hemming, University of Florida College of Medicine professor and chief of transplantation. "The procedure today went as expected, which means we got the plumbing right," Dr. Hemming was reported as saying.

The family has requested privacy while mother and son recuperate, according to hospital officials.

"Sill Soldier Gives Kidney to Mother". AP. http://www.lawton-constitution.com/ftpage/061407.pdf
"Ft. Sill Soldier Giving Kidney to Mom". KSWO News http://kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=6630789&nav=menu495_2