By Alix Glasser
Pierce, a Valley Stream resident, suffered a heart attack two years ago; around the same time, he was put on dialysis for a kidney condition. Doctors were unable to determine whether Pierce's kidney problem developed as a result of his heart problem or vice versa.
Besides the strict diet Pierce followed during his two years on dialysis, he also had to visit his doctor for treatment three times a week. Each session lasted approximately five hours, leaving Pierce both physically and emotionally drained.
"It was really like three days a week you can't do anything," said Pierce. With Pierce's history of heart problems, doctors were hesitant to clear him for kidney transplant surgery, but after a battery of tests Pierce was free to begin the process of finding a donor.
Pierce's three sisters, Rosemary, of Rockville Centre, McCutchan, also of Rockville Centre, and Maureen, of Basking Ridge, NJ, endured various tissue and blood tests resulting in an ironic twist. McCutchan, who has a fear of needles, was marked most compatible with her brother. "I'm the biggest chicken out of the whole family," said McCutchan. "I am
such a scaredy cat!"
Despite her nerves, McCutchan gathered the power she needed to overcome her fears and help her brother.
"God gave me the strength to handle it," said McCutchan.
Pierce's positive outlook on the operation also helped McCutchan get over her anxiety.
"I honestly have to say that I wasn't (nervous)," said Pierce. "It was only going to help me."
Since McCutchan would have to be out of work for six weeks, she chose to undergo the procedure during the slow season of her floral design business. On January 24, at NY Presbyterian, McCutchan's kidney was removed in a laparoscopic surgery and transplanted into her brother; her portion of the operation was completed in two hours while Pierce's surgery took four hours.
Pierce's new kidney started functioning right away, which was a good sign, and he returned to the comfort of his house after five days in the hospital.
"Everyone has been very supportive," said Pierce.
McCutchan was out of the hospital after two days with minimal discomfort.
"It's definitely not as bad as anyone would think," said McCutchan. "I think it makes you more aware of how wonderful modern medicine has become, it's a great alternative (to dialysis)."
For Pierce, it was more than just an "alternative."
"John really has his life back now," said McCutchan.
"Three days a week you gain out of life," agreed Pierce.
Besides the caring staff at NY Presbyterian, McCutchan recognizes the role that her husband, Bill, her two sons and the Village of Rockville Centre played on her recovery.
"The doorbell never stopped," said McCutchan.
Between flowers, dinners, candy, cake, balloons, and signs, even if McCutchan did have pain she wouldn't have had time to think about it!
"The neighbors were unbelievable," said McCutchan. "It really is a credit to Rockville Centre ."
Pierce will remain on anti-rejection drugs until doctors are sure his body has accepted the new kidney; eventually he will be weaned off of the medicine. Pierce is also required to have check-ups twice a week during the early stages of his recovery and ultimately will see his doctor two times a year, "which is nothing," said Pierce, compared to all the time he spent on dialysis.
McCutchan is already driving and is looking forward to getting back to her job at Roxbury Realty, in Rockville Centre, and her floral design business.
Every time Pierce picks up his wine glass to make a toast, he will think of the sister who gave him back the spirit he had lost.
"I owe her my life," said Pierce.
