Thread: CONN-If He's Deported, She Can't Get Kidney Transplant

If He's Deported, She Can't Get Kidney Transplant
Wife needs jailed husband to care for her after surgery

Published on 8/31/2008


New Britain (AP) - A Connecticut congressman has stepped in to advocate for a New Britain woman who risks losing her chance at a kidney transplant if federal officials follow through with plans to deport her husband to his native Poland.

Vivian Nowakowski, 43, who has been on dialysis for 14 years, says doctors have told her she cannot have the transplant unless her husband, Andrzej, will be home to care for her during her long recovery.

However, 43-year-old Andrzej Nowakowski sits in a federal prison awaiting deportation to Poland after being arrested earlier this year after applying for a new green card.

The federal government says Andrzej Nowakowski violated terms of his residency in the U.S. because he was convicted and imprisoned over the years on robbery and drug possession charges, most recently in 2005.

The Nowakowskis appealed the deportation decision, but learned Friday that the appeal had been denied.

Without her husband at home as the family's primary caregiver, Vivian Nowakowski said she is trying to handle her own health issues while taking care of her 69-year-old diabetic father.

Federal officials say immigration laws are very clear, however.

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I think U.S. Citizens who have been waiting for organs at U.S. hospitals should have priority. There is probably a line of people waiting for a kidney.

Hogwash. The woman doesnt need her criminal husband to depend on for survival. What if she wasnt married? There are many single people out there that get care at home or nursing facilities provided by the state.

Laws are laws ..... PERIOD

Is she illegal? Is the father illegal?

Another sob story, I'm NOT moved by it. I'm so fed up with our government and officials.
They are bankrupting us. We need to vote out everyone and start with a clean slate.

I'm gonna be ballastic if she (dylasis) and the father (diabetic) are sucking up our medical services and are here illegally.
Some American isn't getting care if that the case.

He screwed up so it's his fault and NOT America's!

Bye bye

I'm not down with illegals getting transplants that AMERICANS NEED!!
What are we, a nation of fools? I'm thinking we are.

...many patients who don't have spouses can get skilled after care at any number of thousands of facilities equipped for that...this is a non-issue meant to stop his deportation. If they really cared about her health the transplant plans should be underway regardless of whether her spouse is here or not. Doesn't her health come first? Is her husband that selfish?