Going overseas for a transplant?

[mariannas]

My SO's mother called today to ask if I would want to go to Russia to get a transplant.  Evidently there is a hospital that specializes in transplant (specifically 2nd or 3rd transplants, so familiar with the antibody issues) and wait times are in the 6 month range.  I am 99.9% certain that this is not something for me.  Maybe if I was doing poorly on dialysis and needed a last ditch effort, but I cannot make myself feel good about flying so far away from home. 

I guess my question is this...what do others think of this idea?  Is going abroad for a transplant something you would be willing to do?  Is it something you HAVE considered?  I need to hear other's opinions on this...

[mariannas]

Oh...from what I understand the kidneys are all from cadavers.  How they came to be cadavers is a another question that is nagging me...

[Rerun]

I hear your insurance won't pay for antirejection drugs because you didn't use a preferred provider.  I doubt Medicare would either as you got the organ in another country.  Not sure on that.

[Zach]

Here is your answer:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=1334.0

[mariannas]

I saw that thread...I only read the first few pages and it only seemed to be really relevant in regards to Asian countries.  Also, from how it was explained to me, it's not paying someone for an organ since the donor is already deceased. 

...and yes, I already thought about insurance.  That would be one of my biggest worries too.  Like I said, it's not something that I am likely to do unless absolutely desperate, but I thought I'd like to hear some opinions. 

[Zach]

I saw that thread...I only read the first few pages and it only seemed to be really relevant in regards to Asian countries.  Also, from how it was explained to me, it's not paying someone for an organ since the donor is already deceased.

I was in China, and they offered me a cadaver kidney.
At that time they would execute a prisoner (think Tienanmen Square) when they found the right match.

Russia ... think Chechen.

[Ang]

not  a  hope  on  gods  earth,i'll  wait  till  my  time  comes,not  having  something  so  important  done  in  any  third  world  country,then  all  the  bs  about  meds  insurance(red  tape)  basically)

[mariannas]

For what it's worth, Russia is not a Third World Country.   Part of the reason Russia came up in the first place is because my SO is Russian (well...technically Ukrainian, but came to the US before communism fell). 

Zach...your comment regarding Chechen is exactly what concerns me.  Having ties in Russia and eastern Europe makes me want to think the best of these places, but who knows.  I certainly think that for now I'll keep hoping that a kidney turns up here at home.   I'm still wading through the other thread you linked as well...lots of interesting insight there for sure.

[Zach]

Always good health and good luck!