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As a CHEO nephrologist, Dr. Jennifer Vethamuthu treats children and youth whose kidneys have forced them on dialysis and needing a transplant.
What most of her patients and families don't know was that she also has a condition that required a kidney transplant.
Vethamuthu was in poor health. Then in December 2023, she received a new kidney from a living donor, which she calls a life-changing experience.
Her health struggles, as well as the procedure, gave Vethamuthu a unique sightline.
“It was definitely an eye opener … in terms of what our kids go through,” she said.
“I feel like I have a unique understanding of the challenges and how they're feeling."
She returned to work in spring 2024. As a nephrologist with a donated kidney, she now lived the post-transplant experience while caring for children in similar situations.
Staying active became essential for her, both personally and professionally.
Vethamuthu then heard about the 10th edition of the Canadian Transplant Games. As luck would have it, they took place in Ottawa in August.
She never would have competed had she needed to travel, but this was a unique chance to set an active goal.
"Prior to my transplant, I really wasn't feeling all that great. I think my transplant came at a good time, so it was a good goal to have,” she said.
As an avid swimmer, Vethamuthu saw the chance to compete with fellow recipients, donors, and donor family members.
She could only train for a few weeks because of her busy work schedule, but she managed to get to the starting block for the swim on Aug. 7.
"I had nothing to lose, and it was more about the fun of the swim,” said Vethamuthu.
That moment, and the memory of the race, offered a new perspective on the past year.
The swim, like the transplant, saw life come full circle. After spending countless hours watching her two sons compete in that same Ottawa pool, this time they cheered her on.
The event also opened her eyes as she swam alongside other transplant recipients and donors who continue to embrace an active lifestyle.
“After a transplant, there's a lot of normal things you can do, a lot of fun things that you can do,” said Vethamuthu, who also sees swimming as valuable stress relief.
The transplant has also helped improve her blood pressure, but medication has weakened her immune system and forced her to be extra cautious about risks such as skin cancer.
She also manages other side effects from the medication as she ensures her new kidney lasts as long as possible — typically 15 to 20 years when received from a living donor.
Her husband also had to recover post-transplant because he donated to another person as part of the kidney paired exchange program.
He had hoped to donate to his wife, but there wasn’t a match. That’s where the program allowed him to donate to someone else while Vethamuthu could receive a kidney from another living donor.
“Without that, I wouldn’t have received my transplant. I’m so grateful for that program,” she said.
Today, she continues to care for children and youth at CHEO, armed with a deeper understanding and appreciation of their experience. She also hopes to tell kids that they, too, could someday compete in the Canadian Transplant Games.