By Chrystal Tracy 

ctracy@recordtimes.com

Wheatland — Brisen Palmer finally received a kidney transplant on September 28, 2023. There was a bake sale and silent auction that family, friends, and many volunteers put on as a fundraiser this past Sunday to help pay for bills that would not be covered by insurance such as housing and traveling expenses. They have a monetary donation account set up at the Platte Valley Bank here in Wheatland.  

Palmer has had 55 surgeries though in his life and he is only 28 years old. He was born deceased but doctors revived him for four minutes. He was born three months early and only weighed 1 lb. 15 oz. and was only 12 inches long. Palmer was born with one kidney, working at only 40%. As a preemie, he needed open heart surgery shortly after birth as he had congestive heart failure. His heart was the size of a walnut and had two holes, this was his first major surgery. He has needed to see many doctors in his lifetime.  

He required a feeding tube for almost nine years. He has been seeing a nephrologist for 10 years because his kidney function dropped to 20%. He was required to go on a special diet and have his kidney function watched closely. Doctors tried to put him on dialysis at home but with the procedures he contracted a blood infection. With being so sick it brought his kidney function down to 6%, at that level he has had to be on dialysis for two years. Palmer and his family have been traveling back and forth to Scottsbluff, Nebraska for treatment. Palmer and his mother are currently in Denver finishing up the after-surgery procedures. The Palmer family is grateful for the support they have received through these hard times.