Transplant team meets today

[Beth36]

concerning my mom.....how long does it take for them to let you know what they decide?  The surgeon told my mom that he approved it but would it still not happen?  The donor coordinator told my sister that they could set up a preliminary date before the decision but I don't think that's happened because my sister hasn't called me about it (not to self:  call sister today).  So nervous but hope we have a date by Christmas.  Sorry for all the questions....y'all are very  knowledgeable and I am so thankful for that because you have helped ease my mind and in return, ease my mom's and family's....


Beth

[Sluff]

Good thoughts and best wishes your way for Mom. 

[Romona]

I can only tell you my experience. Once all the tests are done and the person is cleared medically, the team meets to discuss whether or not a person is a candidate. Most teams meet once a week. I was on the list for two weeks before I knew. I got a letter by mail saying that i was healthy enough for transplant and that I was on the list with an effective date.

[angela515]

Mine worked like Ramona's. Most do... the transplant team usually meets once a week at every center to discuss who's eligible and who's not after testing is done. They then send a letter out, and like Ramona's I was on the list a couple weeks when I got the letter, because on the letter they have the date you were placed on it. I'm sure since the surgeon approved it, everything will go smoothly... good luck. 

[Beth36]

Thanks!  My mom was on pins and needles yesterday.  She did say they'll send her a certified letter in the mail, so I hope they do that soon.  My sister is going to be her donor and I don't know if it works differently with living donors or not.  I'll have to call my sister and see if the nures called her about setting a tentative date or not.  Thanks again!!

Beth

[angela515]

Well, in my experience when my mom donated to me it went like this: When it got to the stage it's at now, where they meet to decide if the person is healthy enough for transplant, once they say yes or no, they begin talking to the person about what date works best for them and the donor so they can schedule it. They shouldn't even be putting her on the list since she has a live donor already to go. Good luck and hopefully it will be scheduled quickly!

[Beth36]

Thanks, Angela!  That's what I thought, from all the things I have read.  I just didn't "know" anybody who had been through it until I found this site.  Both my mom and sister passed with flying colors.  My mom's healthy as all get out, except for her kidneys.  I would think they'd move quickly since she isn't on dialysis yet.  Her neph told her if she didn't have a transplant lined up, he would have already put a catheter in her chest...so, I hope we know soon.  That made me nervous knowing that...Again, thanks for the info!

Beth

[vandie]

Well, in my experience when my mom donated to me it went like this: When it got to the stage it's at now, where they meet to decide if the person is healthy enough for transplant, once they say yes or no, they begin talking to the person about what date works best for them and the donor so they can schedule it. They shouldn't even be putting her on the list since she has a live donor already to go. Good luck and hopefully it will be scheduled quickly!

All centers are different.  I had to be listed before they would begin testing my donors.

I received a letter two weeks after my case went to committee telling me I was listed.  Good luck to your mama.

[Beth36]

The transplant coordinator called my mom and said they want to use a new med with her transplant, so it will likely happen in Feb or early March.  She is in queue and they'll have a more definite date after her insurance stuff is cleared!  Hopefully, they'll call my sister and discuss things with her as far as a time frame as well.  They said they are sending her a certified letter this week with more information, so it looks like things are going quickly!   

Thanks again
Beth

[Joe Paul]

Congratulations 

[KT0930]

My center's team only meets once a month, so it was several weeks after my tests were done before they met, then it was another couple of weeks before my coordinator called to let me know I had been listed because he had been out of town. As for the listing even though there's a donor, there are several reasons for it: 1) As my coordinator told me, "If a better match comes up before we can get surgery scheduled, we want you to get the best kidney possible; and 2) Just in case the donor(s) you have lined up to test don't match the recipient, as happened with me, then you've got all that time on the list working for you, and you haven't "lost" time, so to speak.

Glad to hear things are going well with your mom and sister's testing. Good thoughts going their way!

[angela515]

Well, in my experience when my mom donated to me it went like this: When it got to the stage it's at now, where they meet to decide if the person is healthy enough for transplant, once they say yes or no, they begin talking to the person about what date works best for them and the donor so they can schedule it. They shouldn't even be putting her on the list since she has a live donor already to go. Good luck and hopefully it will be scheduled quickly!

All centers are different.  I had to be listed before they would begin testing my donors.

Really? Wierd. I kind of think it's pointless and a waste of other people's time to place someone on the list who's donor already went through all the testing and found to be a match, however, as you just mentioned, your donor could not be tested until you were on the list... so it makes sense to put you on the list since your donor's haven't even been tested yet.

For me, my mom and myself went through our transplant testing/workup at the same time and when we were both done, they met and then scheduled the surgery for literally a week and a half later.