A life extending gesture

Being in a car accident 22 years ago and choosing a similar career path than his mother and sister will definitely extend Andrew Greenhall’s life and hopefully will make it a healthier one.

When Greenhall, 44, a Far Rockaway resident chose to become an X-ray technologist after seeing the work being done when he needed X-rays following that 1989 accident, he didn’t know that choice would allow him to meet the man who would then donate his kidney to Greenhall.

Enduring diabetes since he was 5, Greenhall was forced to go on dialysis two years ago when his kidneys failed. He began researching what was needed for a kidney transplant.

“The very first day I told Kevin I had to go to dialysis without hesitation, right out of his mouth, he said he would give me a kidney, I said do you know what’s involved here,” said Greenhall, whose parents and sister were tested and there was no match.

Kevin is Kevin Lynch, 58, a Cedarhurst resident who grew up in Far Rockaway. Lynch, a darkroom assistant, and Greenhall, a radiographic assistant, have worked together in St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Imaging Department, also in Far Rockaway, for the past decade. Greenhall’s mother is a registered nurse and his sister is a licensed practical nurse.

But what Lynch proposed goes beyond the usual fellow employee friendship relationship. This involved questionnaires, six months of medical tests, surgery and surrender of one of two kidneys, then several weeks of recuperating.

“Some people thought I was nuts for giving up a kidney, but inside I was perfect and that is all that matters,” said Lynch, who like Greenhall, said they talked about this on and off for two years.

On Feb. 24, both men went to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan and Lynch and Greenhall forever became linked as one man gave his kidney to another. “I still have to pinch myself,” Greenhall said. “First, it is unbelievable that he offered and second that we were a match. It is very rare when someone isn’t related to you.”

Though Greenhall had done some research, the idea and information of a transplant was all new to Lynch, but he said that following the surgery everything that a social worker and a nurse coordinator told him was going to happen did, especially pain wise.

“It is a big thing, but I feel great that I could help someone,” said Lynch, who thinks he now knows why he is here. “I am here to help [Andrew]. Life would be a lot more easier if more people raised a hand and helped.”

Lynch said he is feeling good, lost nearly 15 pounds, but is expected to get back to work some time in April. It is a longer haul for Greenhall, who, is taking “more medicine than I ever imagined,” including anti-rejection, immunization and diabetic medication.

However, it is better than being on dialysis three times a week for three and a half hours, the needles in his arms, the muscle pain and how the emotions “play on your mind,” he said.

“It like being born again,” said Greenhall, who said he is in line for a pancreas transplant that his doctors think could rid him of his diabetes. “I can never repay him. We were close friends. This brought us closer, like brothers. He is truly a hero.”

Greenhall said he still feels a bit weak, but hopefully will have the strength to attend this Friday’s party at the Inwood Buccaneer Club in North Lawrence, where Patty Gillespie, the Imaging Department’s director will help host what she called a gathering of support for Greenhall at 8 p.m.

“This is just spectacular, it is very exciting for us to see both of them doing well,” said Gillespie, who added that the event will include a raffle and an auction.