What would you do to save the life of a family member? One man from Castle Rock thought it was a piano.
Ross Stanley and Andrea Brady have always been close as brothers. They grew up in California.
“We had our own club, we were the Dangerous Dragons growing up,” he said.
Andrea, her family, and their parents moved to Colorado after Ross and his wife did. The Dangerous Dragons play card games in Castle Rock these days, which is something they don’t do every day.
“I began to feel a little tired about two years ago. I was too tired to do anything. “It was tough for me to climb the stairs,” Andrea said.
Andrea, a fourth-grade teacher, went to the doctor and found out she has multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. She will need chemotherapy.
“It was scary,” Andrea said.
It was very good of her to hide how hurt and pained she was. Ross said, “It was hard not being able to do anything.”
Lucky for us, the chemotherapy worked and killed the cancer.
“After my last chemo treatment, I got a tattoo of the word that best described my journey.” “Every time I get my blood drawn, I look at it and know that I am strong and resilient enough to get through the dark times, knowing that light is just around the corner,” Andrea said.
But Andrea had to get a new kidney because of the sickness.
“Ross, would you be willing to give me your kidney?'” How do you feel about that? She said, “You know, just think about it.”
Ross didn’t think twice.
“I’m on board.” I’ll do it. Ross said, “Let’s go.”
“The process of being tested and approved was extensive, and it was months, and it was a lot of waiting,” he added.
Ross finally got the call that said he was a great match.
“She asked me, ‘Do you want me to call your sister or do you want to?'” “No, I want to call her,” I replied. When she picked up the phone, I remember telling her, “I’m okay with the surgery.” Ross said, “We just kind of cried and said, ‘Okay, let’s do this.'”
“It was like getting life itself.” She said, “It felt like I would be healthy for the first time in two years.”
On April 23, both of the brothers had successful surgeries.
Andrea has had a hard time getting better, but doctors say her kidneys are already working better than they have in years.
“I’m looking forward to three months from now when I’m back to normal and working out and running up the stairs,” she said.
“It was very strong when the doctor said she would be different in a few months. Ross said, “I want her to be happy and healthy.”
She will now because of him.
“We’ve always been close, this gift has made us even closer,” she said.
They say that anyone who thinks about donating an organ could really save someone’s life.
