looking for donors?

[lola]

O.K.  so i've made it my mission to find my husband a donor, he had his 1st transplant 14 yrs ago and now he needs a 2nd one. Because of a high antibodie level i was not a match, well after reading about the craigslist match(thanks okarol) i decided to try it we got flagged(kicked off) but not b-4 a 29 yr old wife contacted us i know this is a long shot but wouldn't it be amazing.I'm also trying to get the word out about the other 70,000 people in need. Just wanted to share.....Amy

[elizabetht]

 
Hi, I was interested in your experience trying to find a donor but I do not know what the Craig list is?  Also, I was once told that if you were willing to donate your kidney and it was not a match, your kidney would go to someone who is a match and one would be found that did match your husbands. I don't know if this is true but perhaps you could look into it.

Scarred and Helpless

[goofynina]

Hi, I was interested in your experience trying to find a donor but I do not know what the Craig list is?  Also, I was once told that if you were willing to donate your kidney and it was not a match, your kidney would go to someone who is a match and one would be found that did match your husbands. I don't know if this is true but perhaps you could look into it.

Scarred and Helpless

Aww Elizabeth, it bothers me that you have signed yourself as Helpless, i can understand the scared part but why Helpless?  I am sure you do what you can to help and that is more than enough for some people.  There is such a thing as Swapping donors but it is only availiable in certain areas and in certain hospitals,  you can ask at your local hospital if they do that there.  Keep your chin up my friend, although this disease is ugly, it is still A Wonderful (and beautiful) World 

[okarol]

To find a living donor I would recommend a few things:

1.) Set up a free Caringbridge site (it's FREE) and post your story and some photos and start your journal. http://www.caringbridge.com

2.) Email all your friends, relatives, co-workers, alumni association, fraternity/sorority, neighbors and church that you have the Caringbridge site and you hope they will get the message out that you're hoping to find a kidney donor.

3.) Be sure to check to see if your hospital will accept an altruistic donor (some do not) and if it looks good go to http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/recipients.htm and read about searching for a kidney. You can also post a "Looking for" message on the forum at http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi - NOTE: set up a separate yahoo or hotmail email specifically for responses so you will not get spammed or give out your primary email. Its is illegal to buy organs. Use common sense when dealing with strangers on the internet.

4.) If your transplant center will accept them, post a plea for a donor on www.Matchingdonors.com. There is a fee, but it will be adjusted or waived for those people who cannot afford it.

5.) If you have a friend or family member who is willing to donate but is the wrong blood type, you could possibly arrange a swap through John Hopkins Hospital or http://www.paireddonationnetwork.org/

6.) If you are too sick or overwhelmed or don't have the use of a computer often, ask someone to be your advocate and help do this for you.

7.) Don't give up. Send me a message if you need help.

Good luck!

Karol 

[lola]

just wanted to update we still are getting replies from this ad 95% are from out of US and want money but we've had a couple real ones that i have now passed onto our coordinator in fact today is my son Bryce's 10th b-day and there was an e-mail this a.m. from a guy who lives 15 minutes from us so he called but our coordinator is at a conference this week. It is so awesome to know there are people out there who want to help.

[Rerun]

I hope you can at least foot the bill for his expenses.  There is missed work etc....  Just a thought.

You could still donate a kidney to your husband.  Look into the positive cross match transplant process. 
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=1319.0

[lola]

We are planning to have a benefit for the person who matches my husband. The hospital we are at has told us that my husband will reject my kidney within 1 yr so they don't want use to go through something that will fail. My husband was kinda glad because we have a 4 yr old that will also need a transplant someday so he's hopeful i will be her match. The U of M has done 7 kidney transplant's between my husband and his brother's he will make 8 and now our daughter unfortunately makes a 2nd generation.

[lola]

Another one turned down they felt with his family history of Diabetes and the fact one of his #'s was a little elevated he could run into trouble down the line and it would be worse for him with only one kidney, he felt so bad but we told him we'd feel horrible if someday something happened and he was in our position, he was a total stranger how cool is he 

[okarol]

Another one turned down they felt with his family history of Diabetes and the fact one of his #'s was a little elevated he could run into trouble down the line and it would be worse for him with only one kidney, he felt so bad but we told him we'd feel horrible if someday something happened and he was in our position, he was a total stranger how cool is he 

We went through the same feelings, up and down, with each donor that turned out to be unsuitable. And each time I would think "What if no one else comes forward...?" But then I would hear from another kind soul. It really gives you faith in mankind when strangers offer to help. Yes, you want your transplant team to be thorough. Protecting the donor while giving the recipient a new start is the goal! I pray you find a donor! Do not give up!

[lola]

Well today Otto and my mom went together and had there blood drawn together for testing she passed the first round, i have very mixed emotions don't know how to feel since this my mom.....

[goofynina]

Well today Otto and my mom went together and had there blood drawn together for testing she passed the first round, i have very mixed emotions don't know how to feel since this my mom.....

Lola? Your mom is testing to be a donor for your hubby?  am i getting that right? 

[lola]

yes she passed the first set of test now there testing them again but this time together....

[goofynina]

yes she passed the first set of test now there testing them again but this time together....

That is the most awesome thing i've  heard, how absolutely fantastic of her.  She must really love her son-in-law     Good luck to all of you, please please PLEASE, keep us posted, 

[lola]

Today got an e-mail this guy and his brother would like nothing more then to be tested for my husband to help our kids have a healthy father........in exchange for a house!!!!!! WTF

[okarol]

  Oh that reminds me of the woman who wanted to donate to Jenna, all she wanted was for me to help them move to California, get jobs, and a house at the beach! If you know anything about California, that's a multi million dollar investment. I had to decline her generous offer.

[lola]

Found out today my mom is not a match but feeling a little relived.

[goofynina]

Sorry 'bout that Lola, i can understand how can be a bit relieved, dont give up and keep the faith 

[okarol]

Found out today my mom is not a match but feeling a little relived.

Aww that's hard to take 
Hang in there.

[lola]

What a week Otto and i had, we had our daughter Danika (Dani) in to see her neph because he wanted to go over labs from her 5yr check up and we heard "young age renal failure" we need more test WTF!!!!!!! Well we got the results back and found out the # they look at on a 5 yr old girl for kidney failure is between 80-89 well my baby is 90 1 freekin point away WTF!!! We also found out she is anemic so she started meds for anemia and high blood pressure meds to see if we can slow down the damage being done to her kidney's. Looks like I'll be searching for 2 kidney's in my future. Still kinda in shock that's why I haven't been around much(sorry) hope to get in chat tonight. I feel like i should re-interduce myself as a parent with a child with renal disease, this sucks....Amy

[okarol]

Oh Amy I am so sorry! Thankfully you know more now than most parents do, and that will help a lot.
Sending love and prayers         
Karol

[Sluff]

Damn it anyways Lola, I will say a prayer for your family. It really sucks    but like anything you have to stay strong and try to think positively. Please know that we are here for you.

Sluff

[Chicken Little]

I'm so sorry.   

[kitkatz]

Prayers going your way from here.  That really is unfortunate.

[skyedogrocks]

I am so sorry, I will keep you all in my prayers.   

[Rose From OZ]

I'm so very sorry Lola.  My family like many on this site know exactly how you feel. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.