altruistic/UNC

[paris]

George Jung, UNC is now doing altruistic transplants. I was there last Thursday and asked where they stood on the subject.  Along with the paired donor program, they have added accepting altruistic donors and also, IVIGtheraphy.  My co-ordinator is taking my case to the Director of the IVIG program.  They have accepted two people so far, but have not actually started their treatments.  Duke still refuses to do altruistic transplants; so anyone in the area, UNC has opened another window of hope.  It is good to see progress in the transplant area at UNC, but the transplant surgeon I saw Thursday said that the politics and egos slow everything down.     The same doctor also told me as he was leaving that I had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting a cadaver transplant.    Wasn't that a high note to leave on?   

[lola]

Otto's Dr told us on Thursday the UofM has done 28 alturistic donations so far.

[KT0930]

     The same doctor also told me as he was leaving that I had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting a cadaver transplant.    Wasn't that a high note to leave on?   

I can't believe he said that to you! Aren't they supposed to instill some kind of hope in their patients, even if it's false?? Give us SOMETHING for gosh sakes!

[Romona]

Sorry he was so insensative to you Paris!

[paris]

I had not seen this particular surgeon before. He was English and I just took it as his dry sense of humor.  The look on my co-ordinators face was priceless. You could tell that she wanted to tell him that she had spent the day trying to give me hope and how dare he throw it out with one quick sentence. Two years ago I would have been upset---I don't let the odds get to me anymore (well, sometimes late at night when the mind goes to dark places!).  I'll just keep being as kind to my body as I can be and keep hoping something new comes along that is the perfect solution for me.   Right now the best thing for me is IHD!!

[okarol]

Not all doctors are created equal.
Good for you Paris, keep up your great attitude and hang in there!

[Sunny]

          Paris, my transplant doctor told me in November that it was a wonderful thing my kidneys had stabalized and that before I needed a transplant or dialysis, I may be the lucky one and die of something else first. I'm 47 years old. What am I supposed to do, hope for: cancer, a car accident, heart attack. I know he meant well, but jeeeeeeez! Anyway, I'm glad to see transplant centers are taking Altruistic donors a little more seriously.

[Nan]

I left my one clinic because of arrogant doctors, who definitely discriminated their patients.  I had not really understood, but two of my nephr. used the word  "discriminate" when I told them of my meeting.  At the time I thought it was just how these transplant surgeons worked....but now that I changed to this new clinic....it is a WORLD of DIFFERENCE!  I feel safe and cared for here...if you can..........look around.

[paris]

Thanks everyone for your posts. The surgeon I usually see is a sweetheart.  And the surgeons at the second center are great.  I just happened to see Mr. Grumpy Pants that day   I have learned that the co-ordinator controls most things anyway, and we have a great relationship.  Maybe he was having a personal crisis, maybe a patient died, maybe his wife left him----I tried to cut him some slack.  If this had been my first visit, I would have been upset.  But, he didn't say anything I haven't heard many times before.  He did have a lovely accent

[rose1999]

Paris, trying to look on the positive side, someone wins the lottery most weeks in the UK and I don't know about you but I 'win' lotteries everyday according to the spam emails I get!

Seriously, I am sorry that he was so nasty to you and I'm glad that you have such a forgiving nature.  Not all of us English people are so rude

Hope you get that lottery win real soon.

Rose xx

[Wattle]

I had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting a cadaver transplant.    Wasn't that a high note to leave on?   

   I have a similar chance of getting a cadaver transplant, so I have also been told.  We just need the one person that matches and it will be ours!  People do win the lottery every day.

Maybe you and I could start a syndicate Paris. And when we win we can dance like this.....