Health

(WCCO) Suzie Seever has had to undergo a double-lung and kidney transplant over the past eight years because she has cystic fibrosis. The White Bear Lake woman has persevered.

"If I hadn't had my transplants, I wouldn't be here," said Seever. "I'm on my third chance already, even asking for the fourth, because just knowing the meds and (I'm) not sure how long this kidney will hold out."

Suzie Seever gets her kicks doing tae kwon do.

"This is one place where I can just focus, I can forget about everything, and just focus on something other than -- (just focus on) having fun. I mean, it is fun. We always feel better after our workout," she said.

In less than three years, all of the hard work and dedication have helped her achieve a prestigious honor.

"I'm getting up to black-belt level means that we have learned the basics. Tae kwon do and the way what they say explained, first-degree black belt is starting all over at a higher level," she said.

The 41-year-old's journey to the top wasn't without a few detours along the way. She felt the urge to get in shape following her kidney transplant, which wasn't even her first transplant. She had already received a double-lung transplant in 2000 to help in her fight against cystic fibrosis.

Her recovery has been prolonged. The anti-rejection medication for the first transplant damaged her kidneys to the point she needed a new one. In October 2005, she received one from a living donor named Rick Gabriel.

"To give a kidney and seeing what it's done for her, that was no question. But knowing Suzie's condition... in fact Suzie doesn't even remember the first day we met. Right before the surgery, the day before, she was in such bad shape. So we met, went to lunch, and she doesn't remember that. So to see her now doing this makes, does make you feel good," said Gabriel.

"How do you thank somebody who had just given you this huge gift? I mean, they put the kidney in and it worked! I just worked right away," said Seever.

Seever's husband Gray and son Jaryd hope there are many more Kodak moments to be shared thanks to the generosity of the donors.

"Organ transplant is very big in our family. We've talked to family members and friends and said 'Here's living proof,'" said Gary, gesturing to his wife. "How somebody can continue to live on and be a happy person and family."

"She would survive with me a lot longer than not surviving before," said Jaryd.

The 8-year-old Jaryd has followed in his mother's footsteps. He is currently a green belt.

Seever's doctor says her enthusiastic approach played a huge role in her recovery.

"We've worked hard to keep her well, but when she got really well, when she truly did well, it all came from her sort of focus and energy and exercise. We can do the medical part but what's made Suzie so phenomenal right now all came from Suzie," said Doctor Jordan Dunitz of the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

Her true grit and resilient vision of the future is accomplished with those who love her the most.

"With Jaryd and having such a great family, just to continue on. Take every day by day and see what we can accomplish in life," said Seever.

Seever wants to become a tae kwon do instructor in the future. Her donor, Gabriel, wants to encourage other people to become living donors and that he's able to do everything normally that he did before donating his kidney.

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