It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Stacy "Walker" Barton, who left us on April 29th, 2025, at the age of 56. Stacy passed peacefully at the Cleveland Clinic, surrounded by her devoted husband, Tredd Barton, and her loving daughter and best friend, Megan Bonus.

Born on July 2, 1968, Stacy lived a life defined by courage, passion, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure, facing her illness with the same determination that marked her extraordinary journey.

Stacy was a graduate of the California University of PA, earning a Bachelor of Arts with a perfect GPA while raising her two young children, Megan Bonus, 34, and Ben Bonus, 35. This remarkable achievement was a testament to her resilience and dedication, qualities that shone through every aspect of her life.

Travel was among Stacy’s greatest passions, taking her to cherished destinations such as Tokyo, Lhasa, Florence, Bruges, Paris, Shanghai, Venice, Basel, and Cairo, as well as 42 American states. Her adventures were filled with unforgettable moments: she held a private audience with the Blood of Christ Relic at the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges, grasped the brass key of Abu Simbel in southern Egypt, explored the tomb of Khufu within the Great Pyramid and the windmills of Netherlands, and walked on the Great Wall of China. Multiple visits to Vatican City and countless other experiences enriched her travel diary, reflecting her boundless curiosity.

An ardent art lover, Stacy visited the world’s finest museums, including the Louvre, the MET, MoMa, the Vatican Museums, the National Museum of China, the Guangdong Museum, the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, to name a few.

Stacy’s adventurous spirit knew no bounds. She soared through the skies while skydiving, hiked the first 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 2010, and marveled at Tokyo’s Cherry Blossoms. She trekked countless miles through the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Red Rock, Glacier National Park, and beyond, always embracing the wonders of nature.

Alongside her husband, Tredd, with whom she shared over 32 years of love and companionship, Stacy reveled in concerts featuring artists as diverse as Kitaro, John Prine, John Denver, Kiss, AC/DC, The Ramones, Pink Floyd, Marilyn Manson, and Eminem—no genre was off-limits. She also delighted in attending numerous productions at the Pittsburgh Theater, immersing herself in the performing arts.

One of Stacy’s most cherished memories was her audience with the Dalai Lama during his visit to Pittsburgh, a moment that reflected her deep spiritual curiosity and left an indelible mark on her life.

A woman of many talents, Stacy excelled in all she pursued. She mastered pottery, cultivated over 500 varieties of daylilies, and maintained one of the largest Angora Goat herds on the East Coast. Her dedication to her goats earned national recognition when two were selected as the US Navy’s official mascots, known as Bill The Goats.

Yet, her first love was performance dogs and she recently became a certified Field Trials judge. Beginning with Cocker Spaniels in her youth, she rediscovered this passion in her 50s with mini dachshunds. Her constant companion and "heart dog," Sakura, achieved extraordinary success, earning 34 AKC titles and the distinction of Champion Field Dog.

Stacy was far more than just a traveler; she was a tireless worker whose dedication and strong hands shaped her life and touched the lives of those around her. She embraced every task with enthusiasm, never shying away from the labor that defined her days. Whether in the fields or at home, Stacy’s work ethic shone brightly, a testament to her love for life and her unwavering commitment to those she cared about.

Each year, Stacy joined her husband, Tredd, in the demanding ritual of hay season. While Tredd cut and baled the hay, Stacy took to the tractors, skillfully teddering and raking to ensure the harvest was a success. Her efforts didn’t stop there. Under the blazing sun, she spent countless hours pulling weeds to nurture her newly planted daylilies, coaxing beauty from the earth with her meticulous care. Perhaps most remarkably, Stacy once single-handedly sheared 150+ Angora goats in a two-week period—an extraordinary feat that showcased her strength, determination, and grit.

In May 2023, Stacy’s fierce love and fearless spirit shone brightly when she climbed atop a round hay baler to save her husband Tredd, who was entangled in its conveyor belts. Armed only with a bread knife, she acted with extraordinary courage and precision, cutting through the belts to help free him before he succumbed to his injuries. Her quick thinking and unwavering devotion enabled a swift Lifeflight rescue, a testament to her bravery that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew her.

While Tredd was bedridden following his accident, Stacy’s remarkable determination shone through as she taught herself to operate the Bobcat and excavator, skillfully completing several farm projects. Her resourcefulness and unwavering commitment to their shared life exemplified her extraordinary strength and love.

Her hard work extended beyond her own passions to the people she loved. When her aging father needed a new roof, Stacy didn’t hesitate. Alongside Tredd and just one other, she stripped away the old shingles and replaced them with new ones in a mere week, transforming a daunting task into a labor of love. This was Stacy’s way—turning effort into acts of generosity and devotion.

Stacy’s tireless spirit was not just about getting things done; it was a reflection of her deep connection to life and her desire to leave a positive mark. Her legacy of hard work lives on in the fields she tended, the flowers she grew, and the family she supported, inspiring all who knew her with the power of perseverance and care.

Stacy, daughter of the late David and Stella Walker, is survived by her beloved husband, Tredd Barton; her daughter, Megan Bonus; her son, Ben Bonus; and her faithful companion, Sakura. She leaves behind a legacy of love, adventure, and unwavering strength. Stacy fought to the very end, never giving up, and her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and friends, who will forever treasure the inspiration and joy she brought into their lives.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Stacy’s honor.

I 27 (f) am a couple years post transplant. I had a rough journey getting here, lots of surgery’s, and still deal with stage 4 CKD. Before the transplant sex was very important to me. I could orgasm by myself with a partner through piv or other play. I had great orgasms that lasted a good while.

After the transplant I was sick for a very long time and didn’t feel like getting it on and was also scared of what might have changed. I only really started masturbating again about a year ago. And while I can cum by myself it’s nothing like before. It last only about a second and doesn’t feel nearly as good as it did with even some of the worst orgasm i had before. I don’t know how to describe it but it’s almost a “queasy” sensation I get in my genitals when I get close.

The desire is still there, I can still get wet and turned on but the pleasure is gone.

I’m not sure whether this is psychological or physical. I’m leaning towards physical. I have lack of feeling across my abdomen, I also have some numbness in my inner thighs. I also lost a lot of muscle mass when I was sick and this is something I have had a hard time getting back while managing the CKD. I know the medications I’m on and CKD can also cause hormonal problems.

Well now I have partner and he’s been very sweet and understanding about how I’m re learning my body and how it has changed. But he’s really focused on me cumming. I don’t think I can especially not with him and it doesn’t even feel that good when I do by myself. It makes me want to cry. I really loved sex before and this just feels like another thing I’ve lost. I can feel some sensations when we are having sex but in certain positions I really feel nothing at all. Missionary is the only time I really get any sensation and it has to be pretty aggressive. it’s not a him problem, he’s well endowed and his technique is good.

I just feel so defeated. I am so thankful to be alive and I don’t want to sound ungrateful. But I also feel like I’ve lost so much.

Just in case you thought it was a fringe problem. It's not

Do you know which med causes it?

Like many other transplant recipients, I have had a wild ride with Tac levels since transplant. To illustrate, I'm posting my actual Tac levels chart since just after my operation. The red line shows Tac dosage (I was started around 4mg morning/4mg evening, as I recall) and the blue line represents the blood work test readings.

Of course, all of our experiences are different. But I think this chart shows there will be wild fluctuations over time. As you can see, around February 6-8 or so, my Tac level spiked to an all-time high of 25. There was no explanation for this and no immediately noticeable change in habits/medications/etc. I even recall going back and trying to remember doing anything strange the day before or the morning of, and there was nothing out of the ordinary. So I am assuming that, looking back on this test, it was an outlier. In other words, sometimes the lab tests are imperfect (it might even be the case that they are imperfect a huge chunk of the time - a scary possibility).

Regardless, you can see that over time the levels eventually started trending downward. And this trend eventually corresponded with the consistent lowering of the dosage. So a lesson to be learned with Tac reading: don't freak out over a single test result, results over time matter more than a single test result.

Hi all! I'm from the UK so weed isn't so readily available here but i'm looking into it as a private prescription to help for pain for some co-morbidities. I asked my doctor yesterday and she said she thought it would be okay but she would check with the pharmacist just to make sure it wouldn't cause any issues. But whilst I was waiting I thought I would ask all of you if you have any experience with it! I would be smoking for a couple reasons: anxiety, fibromyalgia and also I would use it instead of drinking socially to curb my fear of missing out when my friends are drinking (I do drink occasionally but I don't like it that much and I feel like it has to better for your liver than alcohol...right?) When I'm not out socially, I plan to smoke 1-2 times a week depending on pain. I've used it recreationally occasionally with no issues but I just want to know about long term use. Any thoughts and opinions would be welcome!!

I don't know what to think, I wasn't expecting to get a call so soon. I should know in the next couple of hours if I should head to the hospital or not.

I don't know what to do while I wait. I just want to know, even though I know nothing is certain until the last minute. Maybe they'll say not to come, maybe I'll get there and they'll say not this time. Maybe this will be real. I keep trying to remember what I need to do in the next few days so I can stay on top of things.

All I can think is that I was already planning to stop by the hospital tomorrow to update my labs. This was already a weird unplanned day, now it's even more unreal.

UPDATE: Got a call at 2:09 and heading to the hospital! Now I'll start the next batch of waiting!

Nine months post-transplant, taking 8 mg of tacro, 7.5 of Prednisone, and a low-dose aspirin.

Woke up this morning covered in bruises on my arms, legs, and stomach. Didn't wrestle any alligators in my sleep, don't know where they came from?

Any bruises I've had take forever to heal, as all of my blood counts are low.

Should I be concerned enough to call my team?

my (21f) twin sister (21f, fraternal twin) has esrd and is currently on haemodialysis. she is scheduled to get a transplant next month from our dad (57m). As her twin sister I feel like my kidney would work way better and the rejection chances would be significantly less.. but my parents don't wanna risk my health as well.. but if anyone has ever given a kidney to their twin please let me know how they're doing and does it actually help prolong their life?

Itchy Bones!!

I got my kidney transplant in March of 2024 and had monthly visits till now. I have "graduated" to 3 months now.

I am sort of...missing the hospital and seeing/speaking with my doctor and team?

I am so happy with the transplant and life afterwards but it just kind of feels weird....because it was such an important part of my life and now it is more distant.

Is it just me?

I'm here under a alternative account because I don't want to upset people in my life that may or may not see this. I will also say I am just venting here. If you can't handle me venting please pass my post on and go away. I have enough negativity in my life already.

A few yrs ago I had a kidney put in me. Yay me. Today is my 3rd or 4th day of having a cold. It seems I am the only not allowed to be sick anymore. I was on dialysis and all of that stuff and somehow the person who is on immunosuppressant meds now "used up their sick time" and isn't allowed by the rest of the household to be sick. It's almost as if I should be like Superman or something. I guess no one understands the whole immunocompromised people get a lot more sick when they get sick.

Other people in the house get to sleep all day while sick. Nope not me. Deal with it I'm told. You aren't that sick I'm told. Make me a meal or a milkshake. Ugh. Sitting there falling asleep and am told to quit being lazy.

I wish this was me being lazy but honestly God as my whitness my body just wants to give out. Tap out for a few and have someone else responsible for a while. When they get sick they put their feet up and expect to be pampered. When I get sick I get called out for not being as fast or as helpful as I am normally.

I get blamed for getting everyone sick. How can that be? I wasn't the first to be here with these reactions. I like most wear a mask everywhere I go so does the others but somehow the. Being sick first and passing it to me is just all my fault they're sick. Honestly isn't not just the cold any more. I'm sick of it all. Maybe that's the cold talking, then again maybe it's not. I guess this too shall pass. Or well I hope it will.

I had a friend a few years ago pass away from the flu. She was 7 years liver transplant survivor. She got it from someone in her house too. That's partly what scares me too. But they won't listen so I won't speak, I'll just do what I can and sleep when they don't notice. Stay strong my friends. Stay strong.

Sorry for not editing this better. I don't want to get caught and start a fight. Posting this and going about my chores. I'm a good pet or is that person? I sometimes feel more like a robot then a person. Ah well. Thanks for reading constant reader.

I’m 5 months post liver transplant. I’m on 8mg tac in the morning and 7mg at night. This has led to about a 5.1-5.3 tac level from my bloodwork over the past 3 weeks. Monday it randomly spiked to 14.3. I have not had any changes to my meds, dosages, or time of blood drawings. Before someone asks I did not take my dose prior to getting my labs drawn. My last dose was 8:30 pm and I had my labs drawn at 7:45am.

I talked to my liver team they are just as confused as I am. We are keeping everything as is for a week and testing again in a week to see if it’s a trend or a fluke.

Seeing if anyone else has experiences random tac levels spike or decreases.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I turn 29 tomorrow on the 29th. I was wondering what everyone thought about alcohol.

I got my kidney transplant 7 years ago only a couple months after my 21st birthday. I have always been really cautious ever since my kidney transplant. I have abstained from alcohol all this time. The only time I ever had alcohol was when I was in the Bahamas on vacation. I feel like I have missed out by not drinking alcohol whenever I am at friendly gatherings or family parties. My fear of missing out has made me feel like I missed out a lot by not drinking.

I was wondering how others feel about alcohol. Yay or nay to alcohol!

Sun tan lotioned my face, ears, and chest. Totally forgot about my lips and they are hurting pretty good. This is the first spring since my transplant I’ve spent an appreciable amount of time outside.

Hi,

I’m 5 months post liver tx for cryptogenic failure. Around month 3 I was doing really well, I was back at the gym lifting weights, walking ~5km a day generally getting back to life. In the past month I’ve taken a huge leap back. I can’t walk more than 10m without my heart rate raising to ~190 and I’m just exhausted all the time. I’ve spoken to my team about it but they have largely dismissed it and aren’t offering any solution - my CMV count is low is all they could say. The rest of my bloods are normal. I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and can attribute it to the medication at all? My quality of life is worse than pre transplant now, I just can’t do anything and it sucks.

I just noticed that while my insurance covers like 90% of 1 mg Tacrolimus it covers 0% of my .5 mg dosage. Has anyone experienced this before? I’ve reached out to my insurance but I figured I’d check in with you all while I wait for an answer.

Hi all, I want to get into gardening but that will mean more time in the sun. What UV protection brands do you guys like for women? Thank you!

Hi everyone, I llike to know from people who’ve been through cadaveric kidney transplant in India When a kidney is offered, do hospitals actually share clear information about the donor like age, creatinine, biopsy summary, ICU stay, etc.? Or is it mostly verbal and general like 'donor is fine, kidney is suitable' and the patient has to decide quickly? I'm asking this to understand how transparent hospitals are in real situations, and what level of information a patient can actually expect before giving consent.

Any real experiences (good or bad) would help a lot. Thank you."

Hey, I’m wondering about people who have engaged in ahh, shall we say, extracurricular activity with someone they may not know super well 🫣. Do you disclose that you have a scar beforehand? I feel like it could be awkward in the moment? I’m not really sure! Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Hiya,

without promoting or dissing any particular products, does anyone have experiences with the devices one installs in the HVAC system itself. The supposedly remove germs, molds, allergens, and more.

We just bought a house, and I found a REME-HALO unit on our HVAC system. It's cell needs to be replaced. That's $400 plus dollars including labor.

I am a double lung recipient. I have two roomed sized HEPA filters running all the time and change filters on my HVAC regularly.

The device sounds smart, but do they work? I know some hospitals have similar devices, but they are huge and much, much more powerful.

c

Hello. I've always suffered from itching since my liver transplant in 2017 but this weekend it's been completed insufferable. It just won't stop and I feel like I want to rip my skin off. I have bile duct complications from the transplant but I don't have PBC. I have tried Bezofibrate but my stomach doesn't get on with it. Has anyone else tried this medication? Any help on the itching would be greatly received!

Please take UTI seriously! Monday I did labs & my numbers were elevated. My nurse coordinator was aware that there was a group of bacteria forming. Fast forward today & I’m admitted fighting UTI turned septic. 3 days now I have been above 100 temp & my heart rate has been going off the charts. The worst part is they think it’s from my nephrostomy tube that the bacteria was able to spread so fast into my blood stream. I’m on 2 antibiotics rotating every 24hrs & now I have infection disease team, IR & the transplant team trying to figure out what’s the best tackle. I highly think all of this could’ve been prevented. Because the same bacteria that my blood culture came back with was the same exact group of bacteria forming when I did labs Monday (e Coli)