Texas man who had 2 kidney transplants wants to be a nurse to help dialysis patients

HCA Healthcare May 09, 2019

SOURCE: Caller Times
AUTHOR: Alexandria Rodriguez

Richard Andrade is bionic — at least his boss thinks so.

The 44-year-old has had multiple surgeries all over his body including his knee, shoulder, hand, foot, arm and stomach area. He also underwent two kidney transplants.

"I was born with bad kidneys. I have Eagle Barrett Syndrome," Andrade said. "They're not functioning. You're in and out of hospitals doing tests and surgeries."

Andrade received his first kidney transplant in 1988, when he was about 12 years old.

It lasted a year. His body began to reject the kidney and in July 1989 he began dialysis.

The years that would follow would be riddled with rejection.

Ricahrd Andrade was born with Eagle Barrett Syndrome, which lead to kidney failure. He received a kidney transplant in 1988, at the age of 12. Andrade, 44, is studying to become a registered nurse. (Photo: Contributed photo/Corpus Christi Medical Center)

He would arrive at hospitals for hours of medical testing, only to be told he was not able to receive a transplant.

"I was called numerous times and finally gave up. I stopped going when they would call me," Andrade said. "I wanted to be a kid. I wanted to go to school. You get tired of rejection. Imagine doing that many times."

Despite the rejection he felt, as Andrade got older he became more interested in the medical field. He was accepted into Health Careers High School in San Antonio, where he was raised.

“I've always wanted to do as much as I can all my life. Not every day is promised.”
Richard Andrade, kidney transplant recipient and future nurse

He continued his education and in 2001 he became a Telemetry technician, a role that involves monitoring heart rhythms.In 2004, he became a surgical technician. He began working at Corpus Christi Medical Center — Doctor's Regional.

"We've got to know each other and I looked forward to working with him," said Dottie Glaze, a register nurse and director of surgical services at the hospital. "I didn't know what he went through."

Ricahrd Andrade, 44, is a surgical technician at Corpus Christi Medical Center - Doctor's Regional. He has had two kidney transplants and various other surgeries. He is studying to become a registered nurse. (Photo: Contributed photo/Corpus Christi Medical Center)

Then, things began to change. Andrade put himself back on the National Transplant List and received his second kidney transplant in 2014.

Andrade later returned to work, but he didn't stop there. After talking to his wife, Leticia Rivera Andrade, he made the decision to go back to school to become a registered nurse. This week is National Nurses Week.

"I've always wanted to do as much as I can all my life. Not every day is promised," Andrade said. "The best way to give back is to help."

Andrade recently completed the second level of Del Mar College's nursing program. He has two more to go, and anticipates graduating in May 2020.

As a nurse, Andrade wants to help dialysis patients. He said he can use what he has been through to engage and help his patients.

"He's going to be a good nurse. I have a feeling he will come back, but I know where his love is," Glaze said. "I know he wants to help dialysis patients. I would love for him to stay forever, but i know why he went back to school for nursing. He has a passion.