Now considering a transplant

[Bajanne]

I never used to be interested in getting a transplant.  Our nephrologist was trying to get me interested a year or two ago, but I always had lots of arguments against it - my age, the medication I hear you have to take, the sterility of your home, the fact that I didn't want to ask anyone of my family since kidney failure is in my family.
Well, what has happened is that my daughter, her family and I are thinking of relocating to our home country/island Barbados.  However I would not be able to afford the private treatment there and our general hospital (1) has many people on their waiting list (2) doesn't seem to like to put elderly people on dialysis (3) I didn't like the atmosphere in the dialysis unit when I used to visit my brother (very cheerless).  My daughter wants to donate a kidney.  She has already got the first papers to have a test.  She is A+ as I am.  However, she presently has a BMI of 36 and they say it must be under 30.
Luckily for me, the British Government gives two free transplants per year to this territory (still a British colony). I would only have to look after my trip and accomodation (not a problem at all)
So those of you who pray, pray that the Lord's will be done.  And everyone, listen out to how this unfolds.

[coravh]

I will be thinking of you and praying for you. Know that I was terrified of the thought of the transplant drugs as a lot of meds don't agree with me. Amazingly enough, I do better on these meds than on most of the other stuff I am on. Transplant has been a blessing for me. I didn't do well on dialysis and I would do another transplant in a heartbeat. My cousin gave me one of her kidneys and the only thing we argue about is who got  more out of the deal. She feels wonderful having helped me, and I feel wonderful not being on dialysis.

Please keep us posted.

Cora

[MooseMom]

Good luck with this!  I can't wait to hear more news!

[jeannea]

Can Barbados offer you the post-transplant treatment that you will need? That would be my main question.

[Bajanne]

Can Barbados offer you the post-transplant treatment that you will need? That would be my main question.

Yes, it definitely can.  There have been transplants done in Barbados, and from what I hear everything seems to be going quite well.

[Poppylicious]

That's brilliant Bajanne!  How does it work?  Do you have to apply to the British government and hope they choose you to be one of the two? Does lilbajanne need to lose the weight before you can apply?  Do you get to choose at which hospital the transplant is done or do you have to go where they say? Sorry, so many questions!  It interests me ... 

As an aside - which may or may not have relevance to the two of you - when I reached the goalpost of a BMI of 30 the NHS patted me on the back and said, 'well done! ... now we're moving the goalposts; we want you to get down to a BMI of 27 and then we'll let you donate!'

Grrr ...

Hope it all works out for you.

 

[Bajanne]

I don't apply directly to the British Gov.  I just have to let my unit know that I would like to be considered and they will do the rest.  they already gave me a form for Lilbajanne to get a urine test of some sort.