A kidney transplant was successful for a young New Hampshire teen who was gifted a kidney from a Baldwin County woman.
Jennifer Frost, 18, was on dialysis after being diagnosed with kidney disease a year ago. Now, she no longer has to suffer thanks to Bethany Agee of Foley.
Agee donated one of her kidneys to Frost after finding out about the need on Facebook.
SEE ALSO: Thankful and giving: Foley woman donating kidney to New Hampshire teen she found on Facebook
The surgery was successful and now Frost says she feels better than she has in a long time.
"I'm feeling so much better," Frost told 1819 News. "It was like an immediate difference once I woke up and was out of my surgery. I didn't really realize just how sick I felt until afterwards. It's been like a world of a difference. I feel so much better and healthier now."
Frost's journey was challenging, to say the least. She had to learn how to balance dialysis with school and being a teenager. When she found out a complete stranger in Alabama was willing to donate a kidney, Frost said she became hopeful.
"I was kind of like in a state of shock in a sense," Frost remembered. "I reflected on everything that's happened over the past year, just how it's affected my life in both negative and positive ways."
"Just like the lessons I've learned, just the highs and lows of everything," Frost continued. "And then just how much my life is about to change and go back to normal. It was such an opportunity for me to be able to live a normal life again."
Agee said she is thankful to help Frost live the way she is meant to.
She said the surgery went well, and she doesn't feel much different with just one kidney. The two are calling the transplanted kidney "The Alabama Kidney," and they say they will always have a special bond.
After resting and healing, Frost said she would work on building her strength and endurance so she could return to college and play field hockey again.
Agee will return to Alabama on Saturday after being in Boston, where the surgery was performed.
"For me, it's been an overwhelmingly a positive experience from my coordination team to people helping out," Ahee said. "It's shown a lot of good in humanity and so that's been nice."
The Frost family said they are thankful for Agee and her family for giving so much.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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