LI Woman Celebrates 1 Year Since Kidney Transplant: 'I Feel Free'

NORTH FORK, NY — Tuesday marked one year since Southold resident Maryann Palumbo received the gift of life — on February 8, 2021, she got the call that she, and her entire hometown, had been praying for.

"One year ago today I received the greatest gift," Palumbo wrote on Facebook this week. "I had a successful kidney transplant and I am so happy. I hope there are many more years to come."

For years, Palumbo, 58, has been a beloved member of the Southold community, whether it's behind the counter at the North Road Deli, the business she owns and where she used to work with her husband Rick, or at the many events she's attended at Southold Schools, attended by her children, Alexa and Jared.

In 2019, Palumbo found herself in a battle for her life: Both her kidneys were failing and she was desperately seeking a kidney donor. But rather than just sit and hope, she turned to social media with a heartfelt appeal.

"I have some not-so-great news. I have kidney disease and my kidneys are functioning at 18 percent. I am looking for a live donor for a kidney transplant. My blood type is O+. Got a kidney, anyone? Please share if you can. I'd really appreciate it," she wrote.

Speaking with Patch this week, Palumbo when the call came last year, she was surprised, because she had only waited for two years. Most people with her blood type, 0+, wait five to seven years, she said.

"I heard nothing of what the girl on the phone said after she said, "I have a kidney offer for you,'" Palumbo said. "All I said to her was 'Can I say 'yes' now?' Then I asked if she was sure.'"

Palumbo was told that her name had come up on the computer.

"I was thrilled!" she said. "I called my husband to close the store so I could go to the hospital for prep."

The five-hour surgery took place at Stony Brook University Hospital, and after years of hoping, Palumbo had the ending she and so many who love her had prayed for. "The kidney worked right away. I stayed there for five days. I couldn’t believe I was leaving the hospital with a working kidney. I adapted quickly to my kidney," she said.

Speaking to Patch in 2019, Palumbo said she has always had elevated protein levels and, for the prior 15 years, she had struggled with Alport Syndrome, a disease that damages the blood vessels in the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure.

"My kidneys started failing," she said. When she reached the point where she had just 20 percent function in both of her kidneys, she became a candidate to be put on a donor list after tests and clearances.

With the new kidney, however, came the joy of living, once again, the normal life she'd been without for so long. Since the transplant, Palumbo said: "My life has been so much better. I feel free."

Now, she's able to go to restaurants and eat the same meals as everyone at her table. "No more special salt-free meals for me! It sounds funny but it is a big deal," she said.

Palumbo said the transplant gave her the gift of her future. "To know that I’ve been given this amazing gift of life is life-changing."

Although she does have to take a great deal of anti-rejection medication, and she needs to be sure she has it with her whenever she goes out, she said, "It’s better than the alternative."

Her donor, now deceased, gave her an immeasurable second chance, Palumbo said. "If I could say something to her I would thank her for a wonderful gift and tell her how my life has changed for the better. I’d tell her that she saved me from dialysis, which is a big deal."

Looking ahead, Palumbo said she's now able to dream of a future, of days spent making memories with her family.

"I’m a simple person so all I want to be is normal," she said. "I was tired of being the sick one in the family. Now I can travel and see all of the places I’ve dreamed about. I’m so happy!"

The experience taught Palumbo about her own fortitude and inner grit, she said.

"I learned that I can get through almost anything. I can put my mind to it and achieve my goals. I never knew I was so strong. A little patience helped, too," she said.

Despite the challenges, Palumbo said the love of North Fork neighbors and friends lifted her up.

"Our community has helped me so much. I felt like I wasn’t alone. I felt love and support. I felt empowered by everyone. People still ask about me and my kidney situation at my husbands’ deli — even though I don’t work there anymore. It’s a wonderful feeling."

To others facing a similar challenge, Palumbo offered words of hard-won advice: "Make sure you have a good support system. Eat right. Tell everybody you need a kidney! Use social media. Make some T-shirts. One woman rented a billboard to tell everyone that she needed a kidney. It can be very overwhelming but I felt better getting the word out — and these projects kept me busy so I didn’t worry as much. Above all, have lots of patience," she said.

Before her gift of life, Palumbo was honest about how it felt, facing a future cloaked with uncertainty.

"I don't want to miss anything," she said, in 2019.

The news that she needed a kidney was emotional for her children, she said. "My daughter wanted to give me her kidney," she said, her voice breaking. "I told her, 'You haven't had your life yet. You haven't had your kids yet.'"

But still, she said, her daughter's heartfelt offer meant everything. "I feel so loved," she said.

The news, she said, was "shocking, scary."

Now that those dark months are behind her, Palumbo said: "There were times I was frightened of the unknown. I’ve never gone through this before so I didn’t know what to expect."

But the experience also sparked an outpouring of love that she'll carry with her for the rest of her life, she said. "There were people to support me every step of the way. I am a strong person — and I relied on my family for support. That’s how I got through the tougher part of this disease."