Embracing Second Chances: My Journey of Hope, Life, and Healing

My name is Ashtin Stutts, and it is my absolute honor to be able to share my transplant journey. I hope my story gives others a glimpse into the difference organ donation can make.

As a typical 9-year-old girl on Christmas Eve, I was enjoying all the sweet treats and excitement when I began to feel terrible. Having a twin sister with diabetes, my mom knew the signs and checked my blood sugar. With the single prick of my finger, my world changed forever. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It wasn’t easy. I had to prick my finger 6-8 times a day and give up some of my favorite treats. Over the years, as I got involved in school activities and sports, I was having a harder time managing my diabetes.

As a young adult in my 20s, the idea of kidney failure and transplant lingered in the back of my mind. But like most young adults, I thought it would never happen to me.

It Happened to Me

I was wrong. At age 25, I found myself in late-stage kidney failure. I was hospitalized with high blood pressure when the doctor told me I needed to go on the kidney-pancreas transplant list. I was in disbelief. Heartbroken and unsure of what the future would hold, I tried to remain positive that a transplant would give me the chance to keep living. I kept repeating to myself, “I got this.”

I was officially listed for a transplant in November 2018. On January 26, 2019, I got “the call” that my second chance was coming from a donor hero.

Recovering from transplant always has its challenges, I felt it was twice as hard as a double organ recipient. I had some typical post-surgery complications, like low blood pressure, which made me dizzy and very tired. I was admitted to the hospital a few times and went to the transplant clinic several times a week for testing. It was tough, but I had no idea what was ahead for me.

The Long Road Ahead

In 2020, life as we all knew it changed. COVID-19 went rampant. For those of us with low immune systems, it was terrifying. In January of 2021, just 2 short years after my first transplant, I was admitted to the hospital with a severe case of COVID-19. Within 24 hours, my kidney was no longer functioning, and I began dialysis. The virus also impacted my pancreas, and I was again insulin dependent for about a month. Although I was devastated to go back on the kidney waiting list, I felt grateful that my pancreas bounced back, and I remained diabetes free.

I once again was listed for a kidney transplant. I was lucky enough to do dialysis at home, but I still had treatments 4 days a week for 5 hours at a time. Dialysis was such a struggle for me and my family. Simple things we loved to do, like beach trips, were no longer easy. Despite my struggles, I was determined to live my life as normally as possible. During the day, I would go work with my students, then come home and do dialysis at night. Through it all, I stayed true to my motto from the beginning, “I got this!”

I honestly never thought a second transplant would be needed, especially not just 3 years later. That reminded me just how fragile life can be.

The Perfect Match

In July 2022, I missed an early morning call from a sweet friend. Her texts and voicemails told me it was urgent. When I called back, my friend told me the tragic news that her sister had died. Then she told me something I never expected. In the midst of tragedy, this family thought of me. They wanted to donate her kidney to me. She asked if I would be willing to speak to a family support coordinator with LifeShare so they could find out if we might be a match. Of course, I said yes. In awe of this family’s pure grace and willingness to help others in the hardest moment of their lives, I sat again, quietly in tears. We waited 48 long hours before getting the call that her kidney was a perfect match. Two and a half years, that kidney is still doing well and allowing my journey to continue.

My Next Chapter

I always knew I wanted to use my story to motivate others to be organ, eye, and tissue donors. As soon as I was healthy enough, I contacted LifeShare about volunteering. I was thrilled to volunteer alongside some truly passionate employees. What I didn’t know was that only a short year later, I would get the opportunity to work alongside those same incredible people as a LifeShare teammate.

As a former school counselor, my love for helping others runs deep. I loved my students and the role I played in helping them succeed. But when I got the chance to work at LifeShare, there was no question my journey led me to this. As a family support coordinator, I get to walk donor families through the process of donation. This role is special to me in more ways than I can describe. Being there to love these families, build bonds with them, and support them during some of their darkest days is a true honor.

I’m happy to say that I didn’t completely leave my educational roots behind. I also get to share my transplant journey during LifeShare’s Beyond the DMV program, which educates high school students about the importance of donation.

I feel so blessed that my story has led me to this role, where I work alongside the best team of individuals who have a passion for helping others.

As I sit and reflect about my journey, I think about the health and love for life it has given me. I always thought of myself as a “go getter” and believed I was giving 100%. Now that I’m healthy, I realize just how much my illness was holding me back from my full potential. I’m so excited for this new chapter and the ability to honor my donors’ legacies.