Paired donation

[carla13]

Hi all,
I don't post often, but I've had a call that my husband and I have been matched to two other couples for transplant. We're going to have cross match blood tests on Monday. This has happened before but we fell at this hurdle last time because I have 84% antibodies. So I just had to tell you all because obviously I'm excited that we got a call but I'm very cautious as it may not happen.

Hope you don't mind me posting about this, but it's so very difficult not to get your hopes up. I keep imagining what life would be like without dialysis, and being able to eat and drink whatever I want, and maybe to go on HOLIDAY! Not having to sleep with that infernal machine beeping and gurgling!

Live donation is a great idea, and it gives us a better chance of a decent kidney, but OH GOD! The waiting! My first transplant was a phone call in the middle of the day and the next day I had my kidney, but this is torture!!!

Anyhoo, it's nice to get some of my thoughts down, because my mind is all mixed up. I'm excited at the prospect of a kidney, but not sure if I can handle the disappointment again.
Thanks for listening!
Carla


 

[paul.karen]

Wishing you all the best that this call wont fall through Carla.
The mathing program is a great program.

Fingers crossed that all goes well for you.

[MooseMom]

I am trying to get on the tranplant list now, and once that is accomplished, my husband wants to be a donor in a paired donation arrangement (if he checks out medically).  It is hard to allow yourself to get excited while at the same time exercising caution.  It's a constant balancing act.  And you want to get off dialysis ASAP!!  Please keep us posted on how things go.  I will keep my fingers crossed for you.  Like paul.karen said, the paired exchange program is terrific; we need all of the creative strategies we can get!

[Sunny]

I hope the cross matching finds you a good match. Paired donation is such a good idea. Good luck.

[cloud393]

I will keep you in my prayers.  Just remember, when it's meant to happen, it will.

[okarol]

I hope all works out well!
Does your transplant hospital have a program for reducing your PRA if you decide to expand your options?

[carla13]

Thanks for all your good wishes, I'll keep you all posted. I live in the UK, so (to answer your question Okarol) my transplant centre runs in tandem with the centre that leads the UK in dealing with difficult patients (like myself!) who have high antibody levels. We're having a cross match on Monday, if that doesn't work then the TX won't go ahead. I've spoken to them about plasmapheresis, and they weren't very keen to give me much information, I imagine that it is a decidedly costly process....

I'm 39 and had my first transplant at 21, I, like your daughter Okarol, wanted to be an actress. When I got my kidney, I got into a drama school and worked for many years in the theatre. I work as a director now (or did before I had to give up work) but had an amazing 14 years of (almost) normality while transplanted. I think about all the people on here adn all the people around the world who are sick and waiting for an organ.

Gosh, I'm rambling now....

So, what I wanted to say was -  thanks and I'll keep you all posted. God, what would we do without the support of IHD?
xx

[Chris]

Hope it works out this time carla13