I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: KarenInWA on October 15, 2011, 09:59:12 PM
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I am currently in limbo of receiving a live donor kidney from a very kind and gracious relative. She is older, 67, but in incredible health and has never had any medical drama in her life, outside of giving birth to her 3 daughters. I was supposed to find out this last Tuesday if we were going to proceed or not, but the transplant team somehow forgot to have her do a stress test, so that will be done later this week. They told her that they want to talk to me before proceeding with the transplant, to see how I feel about receiving an older kidney, and would I rather wait around for a younger one. I wanted to get some input from all of you out there. I will listen to what the transplant team has to say about the age of the kidney. However, my donor has lived a very clean and healthy life, and whoever gets her kidney (if she passes the stress test) is going to get a good one! What are your thoughts? Is it better to have an older kidney with a healthy life up to now, or a younger kidney that may have had a crazy past (for lack of a better term). I guess they would want me to have a live donor over a cadaver doner if I decide to hold out for a younger kidney. (possible kidney swap?)
Also, my donor is quite the jet-setter, so timing is of the essence. She needs to re-coup in time before her next trip! (and if I get her kidney, I think I will need to take it on a few trips...!)
KarenInWA
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Oh gosh, what an interesting question! I really don't know! Is it better to have an older, live kidney or a younger, cadaveric kidney? I guess technically the live kidney you are being offered is an EC kidney. How do you feel about that?
One thing I might ask is how well they expect your donor to recover. Would an older donor be more at risk for a rockier recovery? If she is really in tip top shape, perhaps age doesn't matter, but I wouldn't like to assume this. I think this is a question you should ask.
I'm sorry I don't have any answers. You are still quite young, so having a 67 year old kidney is certainly something to think twice about. I'm very interested to hear what your final decision is and how you came to that decision.
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Perhaps having a kidney that may last 5 - 15 years at most (I think that's might be a reasonable average for a 67 year old kidney, but I would ask the transplant team what the expected years might be) is ok - I'm also thinking a bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush.
Having a donor closest to your actual age is probably the optimal choice, but if you have no other donors, it's not an option.
If she's a good tissue match, that's in your favor. If not, a swap also is an option in which case they try to match you close to your actual age.
Jenna was 21 when she got her transplant, and her donor was 45. They estimated her potential kidney life to be 15 - 20 years at the most, so we felt fine with that number. Of course, as it turns out, it was less. There's no absolute way to predict the outcome.
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My living donor was 60 and a 4/6 match. He was recently retired (a year) and ended up by going back to work full-time after the donation. If your 67 year old donor is willing, able and healthy, go for it because you don't know if you will get another offer anytime soon... 15 years dialysis-free is nothing to sneeze at.
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Karen, in theory, they should really be able to help you answer this question, because they should have a renal ultrasound that can detect the general condition of the kidney.
I was told that live always trumps cadaver except in extreme situations, that situation being, and I am quoting a transplant nephrologist "You get a 19-year-old falling off a motorcycle and dying instantly". I have no idea how common that scenario is. Plus, with your relative, you know her entire history - that she has not just taken a shine to intravenous drugs or is having unprotected sex with anything in a pair of trousers. This is where those rare but nasty shocks come from. Cadaver kidneys still only last half as long as live donors, on average. The 'half-lives' of these organs are 12 years for cadaver and 25 for live. So, if she really is in excellent health, odds are good that her donation could still outlast even a perfect cadaver kidney.
A few years ago, a surgeon (at USC, I might add) wanted me to ask my mother for a kidney. (They were all convinced that I would have a positive crossmatch with Gwyn because we have kids together. I knew that our previous crossmatch had come up negative, but they would not listen.) My mother was in her early 60s. When I mentioned that my mother was alive, in good health, and packing a matched set of kidneys, that man lit up like the north star.
I would still talk to them about it and see what information they can give you about your options. Good luck!
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You have raised a very interesting question. One that I have been questioning myself this last while. I had a 60 year old female relative approach me and wanted to help. However, one of my nephrologists argued that they would not take a kidney from someone of that age because they are already in stage 1 or 2 of kidney failure. I was like, "What?!" I was surprised to hear that, also, disappointed. I still wonder if that is true or not. I can't see how it would be true especially if that prospective donor was in great health.
One thing I also remember one of my nephrologists saying was that they want to put a kidney in me of someone close to my age. I am 39 years old. This doctor told me a kidney from a much older person may only last a few years versus 15-20 years. But, like someone else said here, any amount of years off dialysis is a good thing. I agree with that.
Best wishes to you, whatever you decide, go with what your gut tells you.
I wish I had the answer too! :cuddle; Good luck to you!!! :cuddle;
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Well, I talked to the transplant surgeon yesterday, and she's sees no problem with going forward with my older relative donating to me. So, it looks like I'm planning a surgery!
My donor is 67 and has no history of taking medication or illness of any sort. Her only medical drama was giving birth 3 times. Too bad she can't donate her immune system to me!
Tentative date for surgery is Nov. 16th
KarenInWA
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oh, that's fantastic news! :yahoo; Congratulations! I'm so glad this turned out well for you, and I hope surgery is a breeze. Can't wait to hear even better news after the 16th!! :clap;
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Congrats!!! Anytime off dialysis is a Godsend!!!! Keep us updated!
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Great News, KIW. Im so very happy to hear this. Praying & crossing everything I have for you!!!! Not the "eyes" though cause that would make my typing not so good! Teeeheeee!
lmunchkin
:kickstart;
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Karen, I'm thrilled that this opportunity is almost here for you. I've got everything crossed! :flower;
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Well, I talked to the transplant surgeon yesterday, and she's sees no problem with going forward with my older relative donating to me. So, it looks like I'm planning a surgery!
My donor is 67 and has no history of taking medication or illness of any sort. Her only medical drama was giving birth 3 times. Too bad she can't donate her immune system to me!
Tentative date for surgery is Nov. 16th
KarenInWA
:yahoo;
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Tentative date for surgery is Nov. 16th
Fabulous news!
:2thumbsup;
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Congratulations! Definitely keep us informed!
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That happened so fast! Probably doesn't seem like it from your persepctive, but wow! :yahoo; I bet your Thanksgiving dinner will taste awesome this year! You'll be off D, home recovering, and living it up!
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Simply FABULOUS news, Karen! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
I am hoping for a smooth procedure with a rapid recovery for you both. Best of luck!
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Surgery date is November 23rd. I will be spending Thanksgiving in the hospital, but I am more than okay with that! I have a lot to be thankful for. :)
KarenInWa
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Great news. This will be the BEST Thanksgiving ever!!!
:cheer:
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Happy Thanksgiving (early!) When I was diagnosed two and a half years ago my mom volunteered. I turned her down even though she was only 83 (as she would say) I'm glad I did because she had open heart surgery in May of this year. Do you know what her biggest complaint was after she got home? That she had to take shorter walks until she got her strength back! Lol! That's my Mom!
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:clap; Congratulations! Awesome news! :cheer: