As LI Man's 'Health Declined,' He Received New Kidney, Lease On Life

WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY — Eric Peluso's life turned around in September when he received a kidney transplant.

Peluso, 40, saw his chronic kidney disease worsen in the past few years. Since Patch spoke to Eric and his wife, Michele, in August 2021, he began having dialysis at least three times a week.

"He did receive the kidney at the perfect time," Michele told Patch. "His health was starting to decline."

She said there were increased issues with shortness of breath and fluid building up in his body.

But since getting the kidney, donated by the family of someone who died, Michele sees a transformation in her husband.

"If you look at him now, you would never know what he went through," she said.

Even though it's been five months with the kidney, it hasn't sunk in for him. Eric also feels conflicted.

"I don't want someone to die to get an organ," he told Patch.

He tried to connect with the donor family via a letter to the social worker, but Eric hasn't yet received a response.

"It's a blessing, but at the same time I have this part of me that's a little guilty," he said.

Eric rejected donors who used drugs, but this seemed to be a "perfect match" as the donor had been dead for less than 24 hours, keeping the organ viable.

The mystery donor was a few years younger than Peluso, the only details he has.

"It would give me a little bit of peace to know that they received my letter, they found out about me and they're OK with knowing that their loved one's organs have helped other people," Eric said.

Aside from the medications that he'll always take, "he's pretty much back to normal," Michele said.

But they are taking a cautious approach to large gatherings. In his first year with the new kidney, Eric is at his most vulnerable, and COVID-19 remains a concern for high-risk people. Additionally, the West Hempstead mail carrier is waiting to resume his career until after the winter.

"With the immune system, he didn't want to compromise anything," Michele said.

As the Pelusos look toward the future, Michele is thankful to share much more time with a healthier, more robust, Eric.

"You have to keep positive. You have to just believe," she said.