RM of Roland Reeve Jodi Gaultier is back in office after donating a kidney to her father earlier this year at the end of August.
Paul Gaultier of St. Claude was first diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019 due to his ongoing struggle with diabetes. Paul’s doctors monitored his kidney function for the next few years, and in mid-2021, they decided he was a candidate for dialysis.
In October of 2021, he started Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis at home, and every four hours, he had to “change his oil,” as he called it. Paul had to drain one type of fluid from his abdomen, add in another type, and repeat the process four hours later. After three months, he was eligible for automated peritoneal dialysis, which takes place overnight and uses a machine.
While definitely keeping a person alive, these forms of dialysis do not provide a good quality of life. And over time, the process became less and less effective for Gaultier. The average person at his stage of the disease can usually last about five years on dialysis before the disease becomes fatal.
The creatinine levels in your blood measure kidney function. Normal levels fluctuate from 70 to 130, but Gaultier’s levels were 660 when he checked into the hospital for his kidney transplant.
“Shortly after switching to the peritoneal dialysis, I told my dad I wanted to be tested to see if I was a match,” said Jodi Gaultier. “At first, he was reluctant to let me get tested as he didn’t want me to put myself at risk. After some research, we discovered that if I was a match and was accepted as his donor, it would only be if I was healthy enough to not only survive the surgery but that I would have a high chance of full recovery.”
With that, they started the testing process and soon discovered that Jodi was a 90 per cent match for her dad. Jodi was the first in the family to get tested, and because she was such a good match and in good shape, no one else in the family got tested.
However, that was just the beginning.
“I had to undergo numerous tests of all sorts to determine if I was indeed a good candidate to donate,” said Gaultier. “I finally received clearance in January of 2023.”
Gaultier now had to wait for her dad to be cleared by the medical team. “He is 74 with diabetes and other health issues as well,” she said.
In June, Paul was cleared by his cardiologist, nephrologist, and oncologist (from a previous cancer diagnosis). The health care team finally set the date of Aug. 31 for the surgeries.
“The day of surgery came quick for me and maybe not quick enough for him. My main concern going in was for my dad, and I would say he was probably for me.”
Thankfully, Paul and Jodi came through the surgery at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg with flying colours.
“I was able to visit my dad the next day and was thrilled to see that his colour was better than before the surgery. His/my kidney was helping him almost immediately with his creatinine levels coming down to 460 within 18 hours of the transplant.”
Jodi was released from the hospital just two days after being able to walk independently, eat solid foods, and manage the pain with oral medication.
“I was definitely not in great shape for the first week, but after that, I felt better and better each day. I needed lots of rest and was surrounded by love and support from my husband, my extended family, my friends and community members.”
Paul was in the hospital for ten days following the surgery. Although he wasn’t in much pain, Gaultier’s blood sugar levels were all out of whack due to the steroids he required to keep his new kidney working well.
Since he has been back home, he has only improved each day. His creatinine levels are now at 140, which is considered in the normal range.
Paul’s wife, Elaine, has been the primary caretaker since coming home. She drives him to his many follow-up appointments and figures out all the complex medications he has to take now. Jodi’s brothers Ryan and Jeremy Gaultier have been harvesting the crop as Ryan, Jeremy and Paul all help each other in farming.
“That has probably been one of the hardest things for my dad in the years leading up to the surgery; he hasn’t been able to participate on the farm like he wants to. And now, once he is healed enough, he will be able to continue doing the job he loves the most.”
For Jodi, she had to take off work as Reeve of the RM of Roland for several weeks after the surgery. She was forced to miss a couple of council meetings, but her fellow council members were very understanding about her limitations, and now she is back in the office at full health.
Gaultier notes that the community has been wonderful, as they’ve received many messages, care packages, and prayers. On top of that, the Gaultier’s are very grateful to the healthcare system for making this surgery happen as quickly as possible.
“We are both so thankful for the health care system and all the medical professionals that helped to make this possible. We will be forever grateful to them.”
Standard photos by Mackenzie Gaultier Photography
