He's almost on the list!

[Sara]

Joe's transplant coordinator at Mayo Clinic told him today that she's just waiting for one more test to come back negative (the stool one...yuck) and then he'll be on the list.  Now what?...



EDITED: Thread moved to "Transplant" section - Epoman, Owner/Admin

[Rerun]

Then........you carry your cell phone (or pager) whereever you go and pray that some family who faces the tragic loss of their loved one has the sense to donate organs.

[MelissaJean]

Two things I recommend:

Designate someone to "pass on the news"

Pack an overnight bag for you and your husband (from my experience the call usually comes between 12am-6am, and it takes a while in between the call and the time the transplant happens)

Arrange for someone to take care of your house/animals

[coravh]

I don't know what it's like everywhere, but be prepared to be the "backup". Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but at my center here in Ottawa, they don't warn you a great deal about being the backup. Basically, that is a 2nd person they call, just in case the first person fails the cross match or has some other problem. You both wait in the hospital and wait (with a rapidly beating heart, I'm sure) to see which one gets the kidney. I had one friend called about 6 months after he started dialysis. He didn't get the kidney and that was over 3 years ago. I also had another friend who was the backup and ended up getting the kidney. The 2nd backup who had been called was not too happy to arrive at the hospital to find out that my friend was in surgery already. Bummer!

The call is a wonderful thing, but be prepared for the fact that the operation might not go ahead.

 I wish you the best of luck and hope you get a kidney very soon.

Cora

[Black]

Hope everything goes well and the wait is short.

[Sara]

Joe was told today he is officially on the list!  Woo-hoo! 

[Rerun]

Congratulations ~  Now just wait for the call.

[charee]

Well done. I am nearly there , I still need a stress test and a dental checkup Then its the real hard bit I have to drop a few Kilos.  

[goofynina]

Sara, i am so happy for you and Joe, hope all goes well, keep the faith girlfriend 

Charee, you go girl, you can do it,  afterall, you are apart of the best support group EVER... ihatedialysis.com... we are here for you every step of the way. 

[vandie]

Well done. I am nearly there , I still need a stress test and a dental checkup Then its the real hard bit I have to drop a few Kilos.  

Keep your eye on the prize, charee.  you can do it!!

[vandie]

Joe was told today he is officially on the list!  Woo-hoo! 

That's great news, sara.  I am very happy for both of you.

[Black]

Joe was told today he is officially on the list!  Woo-hoo! 

Hope the call comes quickly!!

[angieskidney]

In my Province the transplant Coordinator got me a pager from the local telephone company which I don't pay for and only the transplant hospital has the number! If it rings I know to call them back and prepare for going for a 2 1/2 hr trip! Do they have anything like that in your area?

[Joe Paul]

Great news Sara, I hope it isnt too long a wait for Joe.

[allison]

I don't know what it's like everywhere, but be prepared to be the "backup". Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but at my center here in Ottawa, they don't warn you a great deal about being the backup. Basically, that is a 2nd person they call, just in case the first person fails the cross match or has some other problem.

yeah, the official policy in the U.S. is that (if the UNOS computer doesn't find a "perfect" match) the top five local matches are called to be tested for the kidney. so it's possible one could be called a few different times for a kidney before actually getting it. or, one might be third in line, but end up getting the kidney, because the folks ahead of them failed their tests, or were sick, and were cancelled out.

and congrats to Joe for getting on the list; and with the Mayo clinic! that's great. i'd pick them or Shands in Gainesville as far as transplant centers.