For Betty's sake

The power of family sees an Allentown woman through five kidney transplants. She's one of only six people in the world to have received that many donor kidneys.

February 23, 2003|By Ann Wlazelek Of The Morning Call

Inside, 30 older men and women sit in recliners, tubes running from their arms to the artificial kidney machines and back. Some are asleep for the hourslong treatment. Some read. One client talks on a cell phone.

"You look great!" says nurse Barbara Schrantz. She's known Betty since she was in high school. She attended Betty's 21st birthday party and wedding. "You look younger," she says.

Social worker Jerry McAffee asks how Andrew is doing since the transplant. He knows him by name.

Faith Dunlap, director of nursing, envelops Betty, thrilled to see herdoing so well. The average age of her clients is 68. Only 2 percent to 3 percent get transplants.

"It's good for them to see you up and about," she says.

Outside, Betty stops and reflects on the years she spent at this center and others. The staff is like family, but the treatments not always kind.

1981

Second transplant

Betty was a junior at Allen High School when she first went on dialysis. She attended classes in the morning, received treatments in the afternoon.

On weekends, school friends invited her to drive the circuit looking for boys or to sneak some Boone's Farm wine at a park. Instead, she stayed home and helped her father garden or mother cook. She told friends she was too tired or sick but often avoided others on