I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: skyedogrocks on August 23, 2008, 05:04:06 PM

Title: Rob got the call
Post by: skyedogrocks on August 23, 2008, 05:04:06 PM
Thursday night around 8:20 we got our first call.  The hospital said they had 2 kidneys that were coming available, Rob was 2nd on the list.  The coordinator said they hadn't harvested the kidneys but would call around 10:00 am to let us know what is up and for Rob to go to work like normal.  The next morning nobody called, so Rob called a little after 10:00, they still hadn't harvested the kidneys but said if she didn't call us then it didn't work.  She also said to be ready for a call later in the afternoon (talk about an oxy-moron!  :banghead;).  Well as of 7:00 yesterday evening still no word, so we called the hospital and had her paged.  Turns out the deceased donor wasn't a viable candidate for organ transplantion.  Rob was upset, but glad he finally heard something. 

I can't believe they just left us waiting and waiting with no word.  We were the ones who had to call, we were so annoyed!   >:(.  The good news is that we finally got a call.  The coordinator can't tell us where we are on the list, but did say we weren't too far down.  She also said Rob was an excellent transplant candidate and it shouldn't be too long of a wait.

Talk about a whirlwind of emotions!  We went from shock, to disbelief and then to panic.  Like, what were we going to do with our son and the dogs!  Brendan is starting school on Tuesday, talk about a crazy time to do this.  Rob was clearly upset, but glad that he was called and that we won't be waiting for another year or so. 

Is it normal for a hosptial to just not call back?  I mean it was the weekend, so it's not like a ton of people are in the office!  Rob was hoping that yesterday was his last dialysis session for a long time.  Oh well, at least we are over the hump of this all!
Title: Re: Rob got the call
Post by: pelagia on August 23, 2008, 05:10:08 PM
How exciting to get a call, and then what a let down to not have anyone call back.  :grouphug;

I don't think there is any excuse for that.  I think they have so much going on at the hospital end that they can lose track of how much time has gone by.  But still, they have responsibilities.  They need better protocols for how they handle this sort of situation, which must come up frequently.
Title: Re: Rob got the call
Post by: donnia on August 23, 2008, 07:56:26 PM
What an imotional rollercoaster!  So glad you got the call..... so sad it didn't go through... but you do atleast know that he is getting closer!  I will keep yall in my prayers!!! :flower;
Title: Re: Rob got the call
Post by: okarol on August 23, 2008, 08:38:19 PM

I know it's tough but it's definetly a GOOD sign. That happened to us once, I called them back after a reasonable amount of time and was told they had transplanted the kidney in the first patient (Jenna was also 2nd in line.) The coordinator apologized, but she was awake for about 28 hours straight with the family of the deceased donor and was exhausted. Made me more aware of what we needed to do to actually be prepared the next time.
Title: Re: Rob got the call
Post by: Sluff on August 24, 2008, 06:29:41 AM
Look at the bright side it will be soon.  :grouphug; It really sucks to be let down.
Title: Re: Rob got the call
Post by: Joe Paul on August 24, 2008, 06:58:17 AM
Sorry to hear of your let down. The calls seems to come right after another, hopefully your wait wont be long  :thumbup;
Title: Re: Rob got the call
Post by: skyedogrocks on August 24, 2008, 07:58:02 PM
Thanks everyone.  We are definitely excited about the call and hope another one will happen soon.  What we are really annoyed with is the protocol on the coordinator's end.  I know they work hard, we are thankful for that, but it sucks being on the other end and just not knowing.  I love Rob's hospital, the surgeons are top notch, some of the best in the nation.  However, their coordinators are another story.  We had one coordinator that we were dealing with and she was just so damn rude.  I told her off one day and said, you need to put yourself in our position, this is scary and we have no idea what we are doing. 

Oh well, here's hoping there will be a a light at the end of tunnel soon!   :cheer:
Title: Re: Rob got the call
Post by: jbeany on August 25, 2008, 07:18:49 PM
At least you know you are near the top of the list!  Hope the real call comes soon!