NEXT DOORS { ahead of the curve } it into Nagel were a few weeks later, in September 2020.
But finally, in about June, I started to feel a little bit better,
Butcher’s recovery was flawless. Nagel’s — not so much.
have a bit better wind.”
“Initially, it was a combination of my body trying to fight off Tami’s perfect and wonderful kidney,” Nagel said.
Now, after months and years of fighting kidney disease, Nagel feels great. He’s playing tennis a couple of times a
“I ended up having a tougher time
week, working full-time and “counting my
than they usually see with things like
blessings every day.”
this. I was in the hospital for a few
The moral of the story, of course, is
weeks. They were concerned that
giving. Butcher gave Nagel an extraordinary
the kidney disease that ruined my
gift, one that literally saved his life. And
other two kidneys was attacking the
she got something out of it as well. “I think it’s just the fear people have of
new kidney.”
the unknown, but I’m living a completely
Nagel said he really didn’t start feeling improvement until about 80 or
normal life, the same as before the
90 days after, around Christmastime.
donation,” she said. “If anything, I might be
By then, he was finally ready to go
living a bit better, because I’m more aware
back to work and resume his life.
of my health and taking care of my body.” “I wouldn’t have asked on my own,”
And then he got COVID-19. “Honestly, the only place I had gone was my own
Nagel said. “I wouldn’t have asked. And all of the sudden,
I tried everything they had in their arsenal, but my immune
I didn’t have to ask. I still feel a little bit guilty about it, the sacrifice Tami has made, and her family, husband and children — they were all so supportive of this. It really blew
system was so weak. I thought I might be a long-hauler.
me away.”
home and to Mayo,” he said. “Somewhere in that, I got COVID. It lasted in me for about three or four months.