I Want My Kidney Back, Tramp

Dr. Richard Batista donated his kidney to his wife, Dawnell, in 2001.


Yes, you read the title right. There’s a nasty divorce going on, and one party wants their kidney back. Lets look at the players in this saga, Dr. Richard Batista and his wife Dawnelle, a nurse. The plot, Richard Batista wants the kidney back that he donated to his soon to be ex-wife. The soon to be ex-wife will most likely die if she doesn’t keep the kidney. If she doesn’t give the kidney back, Dr. Batista wants her to cough up (no pun intended) $1.5 million as a part of the divorce settlement.

In June 2001, Dr. Batista donated a kidney to his wife after two other transplants failed. Dr. Batista claims that he donated his kidney to save his wife’s life and to turn their marriage around. The marriage had been suffering as a result of his wife’s medical problems. The kidney transplant was successful; however, it failed to hold the marriage together as Dr. Batista had hoped. In 2005, Dawnell Batista, filed for divorce.

Dr. Batista states that it was a wonderful experience donating his kidney and he would do it again. He only regrets the marriage. Do I sense a lack of sincerity here? If he was sincere, why is he is asking for the kidney back? His wife obviously needed the organ to sustain her life or she wouldn’t have needed the transplant. A surgeon certainly understands this. He also knows that if his ex-wife gives the kidney back, she either goes on dialysis or dies waiting for another donor and another possible transplant failure. Did I mention, the recipient is the mother of his three daughters ages, 8, 11, and 14.

Why is this bitter divorce happening after such a loving and courageous act? Dawnelle Batista had an affair. That’s right after everything her husband did, she betrayed him. According to Dr. Batista, she became so healthy after the kidney transplant she started taking karate lessons. She became good enough to earn a black belt. She injured herself, and starting taking physical therapy. She also starting sleeping with the physical therapist. Tramp!

Dr. Batiste’s ego won’t allow him to get over the fact that his wife had an affair and moved on. He’s a surgeon, lives in a million dollar home, he’s a devoted father, and was a faithful husband. Dr. Batiste said the pain that his wife put him through was unbearable. Now I don’t condone anyone stepping outside of their marriage and I’m sure the good doctor’s pain is real, but must she pay for her indiscretion with her life? According to Dr. Bastiste, she’s going to pay one way or another. Either she gives the kidney back or she pays him $1.5 million dollars for the kidney. Is he enraged or what?

I’ve tried to imagine the conversation with his three daughters. Sit down girls, daddy wants to talk to you. Your mother had an affair, and now daddy wants his kidney back. Now that tramp, your mother, may die as a result, but let the chips fall where they may.  I only donated the kidney so we could keep the marriage together. Now that it has fallen apart, I want her to pay with her life. Whoa!

Now lets step way out there and discuss what’s he going to do with the kidney if she does give it back. Place it on a mantle like a trophy and gloat that he won. She’ll regret divorcing me when she’s on her death bed. Look kids, see what daddy retrieved from your worthless mother. His reason for taking this sick fight public, he’s tired of trying to negotiate with her and there have been times that she’s kept the children from him. I wonder why?
The good news is that experts believe that Dr. Batista has a very slim chance of getting his kidney back, and he’s just making a fool out of himself. On another note, I believe that Dr. Batista donating a kidney to his wife is an admiral act. I don’t know what went through his mind when he made his decision, but I’m sure he thought that his wife would truly have a part of him forever. I have to wonder if he told his wife his reasons for donating the kidney, to sustain her life and to turn their marriage around. If he did, his reasons obviously didn’t mean much to her.
I’ve seen Dr. Batista on the news, a very educated and handsome man who can surely find someone who can and will appreciate him with his one kidney now. My advice Dr. Batista, let her have the other kidney and move on with your life. She still has your children to raise regardless of her character.  Also, I would suggest that you move on because she is now considered a deadly weapon is capable of kicking your ass.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this bitter divorce and the Dr.’s demand for the return of his kidney .