Hello

[Sacha]

Hello my name is Sacha I am 39 years old I have CKD of unknown cause my most recent GFR was 19.  I am not on dialysis and hope to go directly to transplant if that is at all a possibility.  I am looking for advise and support as I go through this terrifying process and hope to provide others the same as I learn more.  I work as a pediatric emergency physician and am not very good at being a patient.  Thank you all in advance for your help and support.   

[Darthvadar]

Hi Sacha....

Welcome to IHD....

Glad you found us.... You'll find us a very friendly bunch, and you'll get lots of info and support....

Visit us, and post often...

Darth, Moderator.

[cariad]

Hi Sacha,

to IHD! I'm glad you found us but sorry for the circumstances that brought you here. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like.

With a 19 GFR you should be able to start the listing process, and as you probably know, time is of the essence with the waitlist. Everyone who wants a transplant, whether they have a living donor or not, needs to be evaluated for the procedure. Depending on where you live it can take a long time to even get an initial appointment. If you have a choice of hospitals I would decide which one you prefer and contact them. There are plenty of questions you can ask them initially to save time and decide which program is best for you - we can suggest some if you'd like. It's possible that someone here has experience with the hospitals you are considering already, but if you're not comfortable giving out that information, you can always use the search function on this site to see if anyone has written about those experiences.

I think it is entirely possible for you to get a preemptive transplant, it depends on your blood type, your location, whether you have a live donor, how you feel physically, and how rapidly your kidney function is declining.

Transplant and dialysis can be very strange worlds to navigate. I hope we can help you get through this as smoothly as possible.

[Poppylicious]

Hi Sacha, and  to ihd!

Poppylicious, Moderator

[kristina]

Hello Sacha,

I do hope that you might have a good chance to get a transplant soon

and I wish you all the best and good luck from Kristina.

[Charlie B53]

Hi Sacha

Many of us have had some of the same fears.  You would be normal if you didn't.  The not knowing exactly what, when, how, and most of all, WHY ME. 
all completely normal.  And most will remain unanswered.  The simple fact is we do what we must to continue to survive and make the most of what we can.

It is often said that Dr's' make the lousiest patients.  Mostly because they know most of the problems and the treatments.  But since  you are not a neph, you're out of you area of expertise, so this is a whole new learning experience.  Think of it as a new Chapter in your education, and live it well.  With your prior training in keeping it clean and preventing infection, you will do well and learn to adapt.

Welcome to the club, you are now among some of the finest people on the planet.  Be proud that you are able to continue, and continue your practise of others.

Take Care,

Charlie B

[lainiepop]

Hi Sacha 

Hopefully with a gfr of 19 u have a chance of a pre-emptive transplant depending on speed of decline or of u have a live donor. My gfr went from 17 to 10 in a couple weeks but then stayed at 10 for 9 months until i had my transplant from my dad. (and i didnt feel ill so stayed off dialysis).

It is  frightening and worrying time but everyone here has always been really helpful and reassurin when ive needed them so do post with all your questions and worries as someone will be able to help xx

[talker]

Hello my name is Sacha I am 39 years old I have CKD of unknown cause my most recent GFR was 19.  I am not on dialysis and hope to go directly to transplant if that is at all a possibility.  I am looking for advise and support as I go through this terrifying process and hope to provide others the same as I learn more.  I work as a pediatric emergency physician and am not very good at being a patient.  Thank you all in advance for your help and support.

Ah yes, the unknown territory can be a knuckle crunching experience.

That you find what you need along the way, Sacha, and 

talker