First Donor Denied

[Restorer]

UCLA sure didn't waste any time excluding my mom as a donor, on the basis of one of the medications she's taking. She told them she could change medications, and to take it to the committee, but they denied her too. I have another donor in process, but she won't be able to donate until next summer if she's approved.

I have a feeling UCLA's going to waste no time saying 'no', but will drag their feet before saying 'yes'.

[Dianejt]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully this other person works out.

[MooseMom]

I have a feeling UCLA's going to waste no time saying 'no', but will drag their feet before saying 'yes'.

I suspect you may well be right.

[billybags]

Sorry to hear that Restorer. please remain positive.

[carol1987]

sorry restorer...  hope the next donor is a go!!

[Sunny]

Very sorry to hear it. Don't give up hope and keep plugging away. You are your own best advocate.

[kellyt]

My first three were denied.  Don't get discouraged, although I know it's hard.  My "committee" was a real pain, but in the end I got the kidney I was supposed to get.  Hang in there.  I'm so sorry.   

[okarol]

We had 9 potential donors that did not work out. Number 10 was the charm!

[cariad]

Wow! I have never had a donor denied. This is a humbling read. I am sorry for all who have to go through that.

Restorer, do you mind if I ask what the med was for? If you get a bad feeling from UCLA, think about going elsewhere. (I hope I'm not sounding pushy about this - if you like UCLA, do stay there.) It was exceedingly difficult to get that initial appointment with Cedars, and I have a 'my-way-or-the-highway' attitude with medical affairs that often gets in my own way, but it was smooth going once I got in the door. I even forgot my insurance card on eval day (duh!) and they still let me go ahead with it. The surgeon said he did not even need to examine me - he could tell I was a dream candidate (his words). UCSF wanted to exclude Gwyn over his low-dose Inderal. He told them he took it for migraines. (That may not have been the most honest statement of his life, but let's say no more about that.) They had this utterly bizarre rule that donors could only take blood pressure meds if they were *over* fifty. They never did properly explain that one to me. Gwyn breezed through his eval at Northwestern. I think they medically approved him a week or two after his visit. Really fast. Things are slower in LA, though. They really are.

Good luck!

[kellyt]

I went through Christus Santa Rosa Transplant Clinic, as my doctor suggested.  However, if I had gone though Methodist Transplant my first donor would have been accepted.  They had a higher # for protein than Christus.    It's crazy but it's true.  Look into other places, like Cariad suggested.  Check with your insurance first.

Good Luck.

[Sax-O-Trix]

Working on number two here.  Hoping I don't have to go any further than that! 

[Restorer]

Restorer, do you mind if I ask what the med was for?

It's an anti-inflammatory.

If you get a bad feeling from UCLA, think about going elsewhere. (I hope I'm not sounding pushy about this - if you like UCLA, do stay there.)

If I don't hear anything promising from UCLA in the near future, I'm going to start working on getting seen at other hospitals in other zones. I might even do that if my second donor looks promising at UCLA, just because of scheduling.

We're a little worried about the scheduling, with my donor across the country at school. Does anyone have any experience with getting a donor who's stuck in another state worked up?

[cariad]

We're a little worried about the scheduling, with my donor across the country at school. Does anyone have any experience with getting a donor who's stuck in another state worked up?

I have only been through the initial steps. Have the donor contact your coordinator, and they should send a blood kit. If you have a positive crossmatch or if your potential donor is the wrong blood type, you will have to decide if it is worth pursuing. Probably not, unless you truly have no other options.

I know there are many on here (Karol, for example) who can talk you through the whole out-of-state process.

I know nothing about the drug, perhaps they were spooked by the condition more than the drug? Crohns usually requires immunosuppressants, so she may genuinely not be the best choice for donor since anyone on immunosuppressants should not undergo surgery if it can be avoided.

[Poppylicious]

Awww, Restorer ... *hugs*

Hopefully everything will work out with your out of state donor.

[Restorer]

My mom scared me tonight. My friend-donor is 20. My mom insisted that, when we were talking to the social worker, she mentioned my brother, and the social worker said he couldn't donate because donors have to be at least 25. I don't remember that exchange at all. I looked at the information UCLA has online and the only minimum age limit it mentions is 18. I think my mom is confusing dreams and memories.

Just to be safe, do you think I should email the transplant coordinator to ask? Anyone ever heard of a 25 age limit for donors?

[okarol]

Our 1st transplant hospital's literature said the cutoff was 18, but when Jenna's 19 year old cousin (Jenna was also 19) wanted to be tested, the transplant team said they would not even consider her. We were surprised and the cousin and her family were upset, the whole thing was handled badly. We left that hospital because they looked like they didn't know what they were doing.  I think it's a good idea to get in clarified in advance.