Diane Sims & Margaret Kapchinsky

Sisters Diane Sims and Margaret Kapchinsky were in a fight for their lives to overcome cirrhosis of the liver and obtain liver transplants. They say that it was truly a family affair of love, support, and prayer that got them through it. Both were surprised when they were diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver since there is no hereditary link or a link to alcohol.

Diane, 60, was diagnosed with cirrhosis in 2018 and taken to Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “Liver disease was destroying my life,” she said. She was exhausted, jaundiced, and experiencing both nausea and loss of appetite. Due to heavy medication, she was forced to quit her job as a bank teller. She moved in with her parents to get the care she desperately needed.  

Diane had been on the transplant waiting list for three years before a liver became available. “My recovery was painful,” Diane said. “I couldn’t eat and went from 140 to 117 pounds. I became depressed, knowing that someone had died so I could live.”

Diane says her parents, Manuel Gutierrez, 80, and Juanita, 76, were an incredible source of support. “Their faith is astonishing,” she said. “They kept praying and never gave up.” 

One night her dad told her she was going to receive a liver. The next morning at 6 AM, the hospital called. They had a liver for her. The transplant occurred on July 24, 2021.

One of Diane’s high school classmates had posted on Facebook that she was in the process of receiving a transplant. Over 1,200 people responded. “Their love, support, and prayers really uplifted me,” she commented.

For Margaret, 58, lab tests revealed her liver was not functioning well. “The doctor told me that it could be 10 to 20 years before my condition worsened,” she said. In just 10 years from the diagnosis, Margaret began having problems. She was retaining fluid in her legs, feet, stomach, and face. She experienced symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and loss of appetite. She found it difficult to walk or to sit comfortably. However, Margaret was told that her condition didn’t warrant placement on the transplant list. “I thought I was going to die and I wrote my will,” she stated. “I cried all the time and was depressed. My father’s encouragement got me through it.”

In February 2023, Margaret was placed on the transplant list. She was so weak that she, too, had to move in with her parents.

Margaret was admitted to the hospital on June 20, 2023 and had her transplant on July 11, 2023. “My parents were a Godsend,” she said. “I lived with them for several months.”

Diane played a special role in her sister’s recovery. “When I saw my sister after her surgery, I cried. I had been there and knew exactly what she was going through,” said Diane. “I told my sister to hang on and see how far I had come.” During Margaret’s recovery, Diane never left her side.

A few years ago, at the suggestion of their youngest sister, all five sisters moved to San Antonio.  Margaret said that the move was a blessing. “We are a very united family and closer than ever,” added Margaret. “We get together a least once a week and we pray with our parents.”

Both sisters were extremely pleased with the doctors and hospital staff at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “We love Dr. Foster,” said Diane. “He made us feel very cared for.  Overall, the care was amazing and exceeded our expectations.”

The sisters are hopeful that the public will gain a better understanding of the importance of organ donation. “People die every day waiting for a liver, even though they did nothing to cause the liver disease,” said Diane.           

Margarett and Diane are glad their lives are becoming normal again. Margaret is getting to spend more time with her two children and three grandchildren, and Diane is grateful for time spent with her two sons and granddaughter.

Post operation, the sisters look at their experience with a sense of humor. “We now have scars on our stomachs from the surgery,” said Diane. “This summer, we are going to put on bikinis and show them off…but only around the family swimming pool!”