Kimberly

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH)*

My older brother Paul was put on dialysis in 2012. He’s my older brother and always looked after me and my two younger brothers when we were growing up. When he was told he needed a kidney transplant, I offered to be his living donor. So in early May 2013, I got myself ready to be in the best health I could be to give him a good kidney. I needed to lose weight. I joined the YMCA where I swam laps. I actually got up to one mile a day six days a week. I ate healthy meals I joined a weekly Zumba class. I was making good progress and feeling good. Just seven months later, December 2013 I had lost 96 pounds and I could see my goal in sight.

It was two days before Christmas. I woke up with the flu. Paul had dialysis that day and wanted to stay home to take care of me. I talked him into going to dialysis that day and promised I would take care of myself.

I stayed in bed all day just feeling lousy. Right before Paul came home to check on me, I took a shower trying to feel better. About five minutes after he came home, I got nauseous and reached for a styrofoam cup, a large 32oz cup. I threw up blood. Enough blood to fill that cup just about to the brim. I was in shock and so was Paul. Poor Paul ended up taking me to the ER that night. That’s the night I was told I couldn’t be a kidney donor for my brother because I had end stage liver disease and I needed a liver transplant. I couldn’t believe it, I wasn’t a drinker or smoker, and didn’t take any drugs or anything that I knew of that would give me liver disease. I found out later it was my weight that damaged my liver.

I eventually was put on the waiting list for a liver transplant in March 2015, and I was blessed enough to receive my second chance February 11th, 2016. A generous person in Texas gave me the chance to live. I thank her and her family for today and everyday.

I signed up to be a living kidney donor for my older brother. That led me to being diagnosed with End Stage Liver Disease. I could not be his donor. I am now a Liver recipient. I set out to save my brother, he in turn he saved me. I am signed up to be an organ, tissue and eye donor. I know first hand the amazing things organ donation can bring. 

*Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is the new name for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Medically reviewed on April 2025.

Last updated on June 12th, 2025 at 12:36 pm