Two-time kidney transplant patient also suffered stroke

Lauren Chiszar first learned of her kidney disease at the age of 14. In the past 18 years, she’s been in and out of the hospital.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

She was 14, applying for her first job as a receptionist at a recycling plant when she underwent a routine drug test. It came back with surprising results - Lauren Chiszar’s protein levels were unusually high. She went to her doctor for a consultation and was monitored for the next few years.

At the age of 20, Chiszar, a resident of South Bend, Ind. began dialysis to remove excess fluids from her blood. Four years later she was living in Arkansas, and received her first kidney transplant at a hospital near her home.

“During COVID I couldn’t keep up with my anti-rejection medications so my kidney failed,” said Chiszar, 32. She moved back to Indiana - closer to her family. She is the youngest of seven children. Her sister died of complications from leukemia and her father died two years later of liver cancer.

“I was adopted so there was no connection between my family health issues and my own. My kidney disease started with FSGS,” said Chiszar. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is a scarring that damages the filtration function of the kidneys.

There were other complications too. As Chiszar’s blood pressure began to spike, she experienced a stroke. “I had three brain bleeds and three seizures at a South Bend hospital. They told my family to tell me ‘good bye,’” said Chiszar.

A graduate of Community Baptist Christian School, Chiszar attended Ivy Tech planning to be an early childhood teacher. Her education was put on hold when her health declined. She has worked in various jobs including security at a casino, a 911 dispatcher, and a jailer. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 10 nieces and nephews. She’s also a big Notre Dame fan.

On Aug. 12, 2023 Chiszar’s stroke resulted in a transport via LifeLine helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital. “When I got to the emergency room my blood pressure was 252 over 96,” she said. She was hospitalized for 13 days. “I told the doctors I needed to be out by my nephew’s birthday,” she said. Exactly one year to the day of her stroke Chiszar received a call that there was a kidney awaiting her transplant. She received that second kidney on August 14 and was in the care of IU Health surgeon Dr. William Goggins.

“Dr. Goggins has watched over everything. In March he removed my first transplant kidney and he’s taken care of all sorts of complications,” said Chiszar. Dr. Goggins joined IU Health in 2003, completed his first kidney transplant the same year, and recently completed his 3,000th kidney transplant. “He is a Godsend and I’m extremely thankful to him. He’s not just a great doctor; he’s a great human being.”