Jeremy Calloway
Sclerosing Cholangitis are big words for a kid to learn, but that's
what Jeremy Calloway had learned about his liver when doctors diagnosed
him at 10 years old. Jeremy said he had yellowish-skin and severe
itching that drove him crazy. "I could not sleep because of the
constant itching, it was horrible," Jeremy said.At the age of sixteen, he noticed it was hard for him to stay awake in class at Rockbridge High School in Columbia, Missouri. "My eyes were yellow, my sleeping patterns changed and my mood changed. Only my real friends knew what was going on with me and a few teachers, but then I knew something was very wrong with me," Jeremy concernedly said. School became very difficult for him and he could no longer be active in soccer, which he passionately enjoyed. "I played soccer all my life and liked wrestling, but the doctor told me not to because he was afraid I would rupture my spleen, which had enlarged." Jeremy was placed on the waiting list for a liver in November of 1997 and received the news of a donor liver in June of 1998. "I was very scared of the entire operation but the staff at St. Louis Children's Hospital assured me of everything, "I told them let's get it done, let's do it," Jeremy excitedly said. Jeremy said his faith and that of his family and friends helped him go through all he endured. "My church prayed always and every day and I thought that was cool that God helped through all of that," he said. "I felt the difference that same day. I noticed that my skin was not yellow and I wasn't tired and itching. It was awesome," Jeremy said in amazement. He now feels healthy and is working out to get back into sports and he is excited about his endurance. "My nurse reminded me of my medications and to remember how awful I felt. She told me don't be fooled by how well I feel and forget my medication." Jeremy's surgery not only saved his life but the life of another individual because the liver was split. So Jeremy shares his liver with someone else. "I think that is amazing and I would like to meet the other person." Jeremy is now 18 years old and is looking forward to completing school and attending Central Missouri State College. He's not sure if he wants to study Hotel & Restaurant Management or Medicine, however, he says he plans on, "staying healthy and doing exactly what my transplant team tells me to do." He appreciates his parents for comforting him and letting him know that everything will be okay. He also expressed appreciation to the donor family and has written to them. However, when asked what he would say if he ever met them, "I would probably cry and thank them from the bottom of my heart for saving my life and at the same time be speechless. I could have died but I'm so grateful," Jeremy emotionally said. Jeremy and some of his friends have planned a spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico. He is looking forward to being on MTV (Music Television) and being among the many women there. Don't worry though, he and his friends are being chaperoned by his dad. Bummer! |
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