I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: edersham on April 01, 2010, 11:08:33 AM
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:bandance;
I was diagnosed with stage 4 CKD Mar 09 during a physical to renew my coast guard license(charter boat captain) only 9 months after a physical
that showed normal kidney function (25 year diabetic). Prognosis was not good due to extremely high protein in urine. My job was instantly gone
due to lost license and had to refund all deposits for 09 season in Alaska. 15 year customers and friends Jim and Christy(husband & wife) immediately offered to be donors before I even knew what donation was all about. I said Im not that good a guide and I can't take your kidney. In June I met 2 kidney recipients who started educating me about the process and the safeguards for the donor. I researched and changed my attitude and told Jim and Christy I wanted to do this if they were still willing.
In september I fell below 20 GFR and was evaluated and approved for listing at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix in Oct. Jim went first but was denied due to blood type. Christy was sceduled for evaluation late Nov. but got the flu and was postponed untill late January. In Dec my GFR fell
to 11 and I started in center hemodyalysis with a cath Jan 8.
I quickly learned that I hate dialysis and typed those words in a google search and found this website.
Christy was evaluated in late Jan but before the committe met her older sister learned of the plan and when she couldn't convince Christy to back
out the sister called the Mayo Clinic and threatened them if they approved the transplant. After two weeks
Christy couldn't get the sister to back off but told Mayo the sister was out of her life and let's go. Mayo said OK and scheduled the tx for March 23. The rest of Christy's family was worried about her but knew it was her life and her decision. I am amazed at her courage and determination.
The final crossmatch was negative and my final physical went well and March 23 we went to the hospital. While in pre-op they announced that they do a final final crossmatch(that was nerve racking even though I knew the odds were good. We passed and headed to the operating room.
I blinked and was in aroom with a nurse telling me the surgery was over. I instantly felt better than I had in 6 mo.
Im 9 days post transplant now and everything is going well so far.(creatinine 1.6) I now know for sure that I have two friends that would go way beyond giving me the shirt off their back
I also want to thank everyone on this site to help me prepare for the tx and what is to come next. I will do my part to
help others with what I have learned.
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Fantastic story and yes indeed ALL living donors definitely do rock. I found this site exactly as you did...came home bummed to be losing my 23 year transplant and found this place. Am now one year out from my second trx. My donor feels terrific too. :flower;
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Yes they rock! I'm currently looking for one.
Troy
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Great story! Yes, you have incredible friends, but you must be very special too for them to want to help you so much. Glad you are doing so well and look forward to hearing more about your recovery. :2thumbsup;
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Nice story with a happy ending. Your donor must really care about you. I hope your transplant lasts a good long time.
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You're on the list http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=4927.0 :clap;
Living Donors ROCK!