Staff Writer
CARIBOU, Maine — There was a time in Micheline Patane’s life when she thought she couldn’t have a child. Now the only child she did have more than 20 years ago has given her a chance at life. Mrs. Patane’s son, Frank Patane Jr., donated a kidney to his mother during an operation last Tuesday. The procedures took place on the Caribou mother and son early in the morning at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
An emotional Frank Patane Sr. called from the Portland hospital early Tuesday afternoon to report that the kidney appears to already be working fine and doing its job. His wife spent five hours in surgery, while his son was four hours on the operating table, he said.
Last week, the family talked about the upcoming operations and how Mrs. Patane’s illness has affected their lives.
“I’m tired of my mom being sick,” said the younger Patane, of his decision to become a donor. “I’m tired of my family going through turmoil and ruining my mother’s life.”
Patane said that he’s watched his parents suffer through his mother’s illness.
“If these two were to lose each other, they’d be lost,” said Patane, who works with elderly patients as a certified nursing assistant at the Presque Isle Nursing Home.
Micheline Patane, an employee at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at the Loring Commerce Centre, suffers from a rare kidney disease that she has had since birth. About a year ago, she was placed on a donor list for a kidney transplant, but her condition worsened when she had a heart attack last January.
Mrs. Patane, 52, explained her kidneys failed when a dye was injected during treatment for her heart. She then started dialysis. Because of her worsened condition, the process was started to find a donor immediately. Her son was one of the family members who started the mountain of paperwork entailed in the match process.
“You have to answer a million questions,” said the younger Patane. “They ask you everything in that form.”
Tuesday’s procedure was expected to begin with Frank Patane Jr., when one of his kidneys will be removed. Less than an hour later, the organ was scheduled to be transplanted into his mother.
The family plans to stay in the Portland area for up to a few months for doctors to monitor Mrs. Patane’s acceptance of the new organ. The younger Patane is expected to be out of work for up to six weeks, while his mom wants to be back at her job within a couple months.
Preparing for the two surgeries includes several visits with medical and mental health officials to make sure the two were ready for such a step.
“At first I was a little nervous,” said Frank Patane Jr., “But I knew it was for my mom. I wanted her to live a long and healthy life.”
Although the family has good insurance, financial concerns are always a part of the process. The cost of traveling back and forth between Portland, with the cost of gas, has been high.
Both Mrs. Patane and her son say that their employers have been very supportive regarding time away from work.
“They gave me an extra week for time with mom,” said the younger Patane.
Throughout the experience, Frank Patane Jr., said that he has learned so much about family and giving. He said he is concerned about his father who has been a strong support to his family during this time.
“I feel bad for him,” the younger Patane said. “A son in one room and a wife in another.”
What will the Frank Patane Sr., be doing while his two closest family members are undergoing life-giving surgery?
“Wait,” the elder Patane simply said.
The family offered their thanks to employers, family members and various service organizations who have offered support. The younger Patane cited his friend, Brad Godwin, who has been very close to the family.
Through it all, “I’ve been so blessed,” said Micheline Patane.
