Mother Gives Gift Of Life To Daughter Battling Kidney Disorder

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Submitted by Tim Cavender, public affairs director with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services

This Mother’s Day will be a very special day for Brianna Rackley and her mother, Tricia Chumley.

Brianna’s mother gave her daughter the ultimate gift, one of her kidneys during a time of need.

Brianna’s kidneys stopped growing at the age of six. In July 2014, Brianna became very ill and later learned that she had a kidney disease called Nephron phthisis. She was placed on dialysis until they could find a donor for a kidney transplant. Fortunately, Brianna’s mother went through the testing and was later notified that she was a match for the transplant.

The operation for the transplant was performed on Dec. 18, 2014.

“After the surgery I don’t really remember what all happened,” Tricia Chumley said. “ My husband said I was very sick after the surgery and complaining about chest pains. The hospital was thinking it was acid indigestion or something. I was sent home from the hospital, which I don’t remember being at home. Rodney, my husband, stated I wanted my back rubbed and was hurting, not wanting him to stop massaging my back.”

Later that evening, Tricia’s husband woke up and noticed that she had turned blue and called 911. EMTs and paramedics from Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services responded to the scene to transport Tricia to Northside Hospital-Cherokee.

Tricia was unconscious, but she did have a heartbeat. She was later transported to Emory Hospital in Atlanta and firefighters worked hard to maintain her vital signs as they headed south. After they arrived at the hospital, she was put on dialysis to save her kidney.

“I don’t remember anything after the surgery prep, except for prayer with my husband and friend, Pastor Lamar Rackley, who is Brianna’s granddad, she said. “I woke up later in the intensive care unit.”

Tricia had to do rehab and two weeks later, she walked out with no problems.

On Friday, May 1, Tricia traveled to Station 22 near BridgeMill to thank the men who responded to her call.

“I’m here because of this first response team and my husband,” she stated. “Thank you just doesn’t seem enough.”

Most of the time, firefighters with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services never see their patients again after the leave the hospital. It is always gratifying to see someone who benefited from the EMTs and paramedics care.

To learn more about Tricia and Brianna’s experience or to make a donation to help with medical expenses, visit her profile on the Children’s Organ Transplant Association’s website.

This will be a very special Mother’s Day for Tricia Chumley and her daughter, Brianna. A mother’s love is very special especially when she gives you the “gift of life.”

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Photo credits: Tim Cavender/Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services