Sanderlin Thanks Community For Support During Kidney Transplant

By Sam Conner
   Winslow Schools Counselor Gary Sanderlin expressed his appreciation for the support of the community, his colleagues at the school system and kidney donor Jim MacLean for their care and concern during his successful kidney transplant operation. He said that he was amazed at the generosity of the community and the many people who did everything imaginable to support him and his family during the events leading up to the operation and during the recovery period he is still undergoing.
   Sanderlin came to Winslow in 1985, and taught and coached at Winslow Junior High School from that time until five years ago when he became a counselor at the three elementary schools and WJHS. He had taught physical education, math and reading at WJHS before getting his master’s degree in counseling in 1997. Five years ago, he replaced three counselors who had been present at the different schools on grant funding. His job has changed some this year, as he is now mostly concerned with counseling special needs children. After the successful operation on June 5, he has returned to work at the three elementary schools and WJHS.
   When Sanderlin went to the doctor with chest pain, he had no idea that the trouble would prove to be in his kidneys. Blood work showed this to be the case, though, and his critical creatinine level was too high. He went to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for a biopsy when it was found that both of his kidneys were enlarged. He was assigned to a nephrologist (kidney specialist), Dr. Roxanne Meyra. Although he still did not feel bad, she knew to keep a special eye on his situation. The pain and the situation became worse. A test during the last week of school showed the creatinine level was measuring in the critical area.
   On the advice of his physicians, Sanderlin had his two brothers and sister tested to see if they would be successful candidates to be a kidney donor. Many things must match between the donor and the recipient in such operations. None of his siblings matched well, as all had conditions that made success doubtful.
   WJHS Principal Jim MacLean had known Sanderlin since he came to Winslow, and was a friend and member of the same church, the First Baptist Church of Winslow. He followed the progress of Sanderlin’s treatment and the testing of his siblings. When he heard that none of the three siblings tested well as potential donors, MacLean volunteered to test for his compatibility. His test was excellent for a potential donor, and the operation was scheduled and performed.
   Both men have recovered well and both are back working in the Winslow school system. Sanderlin must have blood work every week, monitor his medicines and watch his weight. He has recovered well, though, and is feeling no ill effects of the operation.
   Sanderlin said that when he heard Jim MacLean had volunteered to be the kidney donor, MacLean told him that he thought God had told him that was what he should do when he prayed about the situation. He also said that he is extremely grateful for the support his colleagues in the school system and the community have given him. Funds have been raised in all of the schools with sock hops, pickle sales, containers to collect donations, a garage sale at the Elks Lodge and a catfish dinner from Chartwells Cafeteria.
   He said that while he had worried about the possibility of not being able to care for his wife Alexis and his daughters, Payton, 9, and Autumn, 7, he had become confident that the situation would turn out well. He noted that he now has a better and different understanding of life, and more appreciation for it. He is very thankful that he faced this health crisis in a town like Winslow where the people responded to his needs with their prayers, concern and actions, whether in donations, moral support or, in the case of Jim MacLean, the donation of a kidney that has made a normal and long life a real possibility.