Category: Health and Wellness
I have had three kidney transplants and I know the process very well, but you can ask me on any kind of transplant. Whether you are thinking of donating or needing the transplant yourself and you have questions, feel free to ask away.
i don't have a question at the moment, but i love reading topics like this. :). if i have anything to say, i'll post again. but for now, i'm subscribing for it
I prepared to give my dad a kidney. For awhile, things were getting bad, but they have leveled off, thank God. But, I'm preparing for when the time is right. I'm pretty familiar with the organ sharing process, as i had to go through a lot of crap; nonetheless, it is very fascinating to talk to people who have had transplants.
I hope your dad is doing okay. If he's on dialysis, that's not easy especially if it's hemo on the machines. I'm glad you're willing to be his donor because there are few in the population that will. Most of the time people have to sit on a waiting list until someone dies or is dying and hope the tissue, blood, and antibodies match. And, each successive transplant, the matching process becomes more difficult because of the added build-up of antibodies in the system that could potentially make the body reject the new organ.
I had my first transplant in 8/27/83, my second in 9/26/97 and that one wasn't a good match from the start, and finally my third on 2/7/09. The last one came just in time to save my life as I had no more options for dialysis either hemo or home versions. I knew what would happen and I even had a will made out in preparation. All my donors were cadvers and the one living donor I had matched blood type, but my antibodies were way to high to accept her kidney because of rejection. I was told that plasma farisis would help clean my blood of the antibodies, but then they did the blood count and realized that even that new process wouldn't work. And, I wasn't a first transplant so I wasn't a candidate for the new program of taking organs from living donors who weren't the same blood type.
Your father is really lucky to have you and I congratulate you for your willingness to help.
Chastity
No, my dad is not on dialysis. The tests just shows that there was some dammage, though. I think that kidney failure is hereditary on his side of the family because his grandfather had it and all that. that would be the only explanation, as my dad is a health nut.
I know that few people in the population will donate, and it is sad; nonetheless, it is a personal choice. I personally did not even take a second thought. When I heard the news, I immediately made the decision, and it did not matter what it costs me. i don't care about the costs. I care about my dad living. He is a business man, and dialysis would cramp his lifestyle. He travels all the time, and he is always active, so I want to be sure that he can always remain as such. Thankfully, he has a very long way until he needs to think about dialysis and a transplant; but, I'm taking care of my body in the meantime. If he needs it, I'm ready.
That's great. I'm glad he doesn't have to go through dialysis. I'm glad you're feeling good too.
Chastity