Almost on the list

[Brightsky69]

Hi All -

I haven't posted in awhile. Work has me busy and I enrolled in school again. Anyway....I meet with my doc on the 27th then after that I should become active on the transplant list. I pray by some miracle I will get called for a transplant right before I have to go back on dialysis. So I can avoid going back on dialysis altogether. My doctors would love not to have to put me on dialysis. But I would probably have a better change of winning the lottery then having that happen. I am O+ and the wait for me is about 5 to 7 years. At least that is what they tell me. And I doubt my transplant will last that long. It's a little over 17 years old now.
I try to look on the bright side. The first time on dialysis I was really, really sick. This time around we all know whats happening, I am relatively healthy and I'll know what to expect.
In the meantime I am going to keep on trucking and living life.   

[donnia]

Wow!  17 years with this transplant!!!  I am 2 weeks 1 day post transplant  and I hope and pray that mine will last as long!  Words of advice on how you made it last that long?

Okay, sorry, back to you!  Welcome back!  I will put you in my prayers for a speedy transplant.  I am A+ and was verrrrrrrry lucky to have a lifelong friend donate to me.  I know the wait can be long for O+, but like you said.... you are more prepared for the whole process so that is a good thing.  Please keep us informed of your progress....   

[Brightsky69]

I think one thing that may have helped this transplant last so long was that it came from my mom. The surgeon that did the transplant said he had never seen a match so perfect in his entire career. I also was a "good patient" I never missed a appointment with my doc. Always did my lab work and took my docs advice. I think I got lucky too with an excellent nephrologist. He always takes the time to talk to me, answer my questions and include me in on my own treatment. He'll ask me what I wanna do and how I want to handle things. Sometimes I would look at him like " aren't you the doctor here...should you be telling me."      Seriously...he does want me to be very involved in my own care.  Man!! I don't know what i am gonna do if he ever retires. I hope it's not anytime soon.     

Congratulation's on your transplant and cheers to your friend for donating. I certainly hope your transplant (and everyone else's) last 17 years and then some.

[donnia]

My donor and I were a 3 out of 6 match.  Her little kidney is kicken strong.  I just got back home and have to make an appointment with my nephrologist on Monday.  I have to say, I am blessed as well with an excellent nephrologist!  His wife had a transplant 10 years ago. 

Here is to you getting on the transplant list soon ....   

[Brightsky69]

Thanks Donnia and heres to your transplant lasting for years and years to come.   

[monrein]

It's so hard when a beloved transplant fails.  Mine lasted 23+ years (cadaver kidney) but now I'm back on dialysis.  Was feeling wretched but since starting D again I feel pretty good again.  Donnia, I hope your trx lasts a super super long time and Brightsky, I hope you get the call much sooner rather than later.

Hugs to both of you.

[Brightsky69]

  Wow 23 years! That is excellent. Momrein I hope you get another transplant also. And it lasts much longer than 23 years. 

[pelagia]

I hope that you don't have to wait so long for a transplant. 

[stauffenberg]

The average life expectancy of a kidney transplant from a living related donor is 24 years.