What to expect?

[willieandwinnie]

Hi Everyone,
Could the members here that have had transplants, please tell me what to expect when I take my husband to meet with the Transplant surgeon, coordinator and social worker next Tuesday? Will they want to run any test that day? As usual, our clinic has not informed us of anything. I have come to the conclusion that's how they are. I come to this board for my questions.  Thanks for any information you can give me.

willieandwinnie

[livecam]

I can't tell you what will happen during your evaluation but can give you some general ideas.  My wife and I met with the UCLA transplant program director, and a social worker.  Dr. Danovitch kind of layed out what is entailed in a transplant, the risks and benefits of getting a transplant.  He was extremely honest about things like the possibility of rejection, increased possibility of getting cancer from the immunosuppressants etc.  They want to evaluate the recipient psychologically as well.  They need to feel that the recipient is going to be compliant with the drug regimen and in dealing with any additional medical issues that might arise and they want to be sure he'll have enough support on the home front before and after surgery. They will likely tell you that there are certain health parameters a potential recipient must be within.  They want body weight under a certain point depending on the patient, no history of cancer, dental health must be good because any dental infection can compromise a transplanted kidney. Any potential cardiac problems must be taken care of before transplant to minimize risk during surgery. The patient must be prepared for many many followup visits in the months just after the transplant to check kidney function, adjust medications etc. It will be a time for give and take.  Ask all the questions you want while you are there, they will be answered in detail.  The evaluation is nothing to worry about, they want to give your husband that kidney.  They just want to do it in the safest manner and with the best outcome for him.  Good luck!
 

[Epoman]

I can't tell you what will happen during your evaluation but can give you some general ideas.  My wife and I met with the UCLA transplant program director, and a social worker.  Dr. Danovitch kind of layed out what is entailed in a transplant, the risks and benefits of getting a transplant.  He was extremely honest about things like the possibility of rejection, increased possibility of getting cancer from the immunosuppressants etc.  They want to evaluate the recipient psychologically as well.  They need to feel that the recipient is going to be compliant with the drug regimen and in dealing with any additional medical issues that might arise and they want to be sure he'll have enough support on the home front before and after surgery. They will likely tell you that there are certain health parameters a potential recipient must be within.  They want body weight under a certain point depending on the patient, no history of cancer, dental health must be good because any dental infection can compromise a transplanted kidney. Any potential cardiac problems must be taken care of before transplant to minimize risk during surgery. The patient must be prepared for many many followup visits in the months just after the transplant to check kidney function, adjust medications etc. It will be a time for give and take.  Ask all the questions you want while you are there, they will be answered in detail.  The evaluation is nothing to worry about, they want to give your husband that kidney.  They just want to do it in the safest manner and with the best outcome for him.  Good luck!
 

Very concise reply livecam, I really value you as a member.

- Epoman

[Rerun]

DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT Mention you have been looking at going out of the country to get a kidney!   

Hey, that would be a good thread!   

[Sara]

Joe recently went to talk about transplant and getting on the list, and what we thought was going to be one visit turned into 2 weeks of scheduled doctor's appointments.  They printed a schedule for him (it was like a class schedule at school) and he's been to at least 2 different appointments per day for the last 2 weeks.  I hope yours isn't like that.

[Panda_9]

If you ever do get a transplant, then be prepared for appointments galore! Once you are discharged from hospital it doesnt stop from there. You usually are required to see the doctor and have bloods done every day for a couple of weeks, then slowly goes down to every second day, 3 days a week, and so on. It is a big commitment!

[angieskidney]

I have pics of my transplant incision even though it is from 1990. Wanna see?



also .. it is important to realize that every kidney transplant is TEMPORARY because of your body's own defense system and DNA and that they only thing preventing your body from rejecting a new transplant is the immonusuppressant medications with a crap load of side effects! Make sure you are prepared for them all .. and oh ya! Something no one tells anyone! Use cocoabutter on your skin to prevent stretchmarks from the weight gain you will get from Prednisone if they put you one it


As you can see in the pic .. they put the new kidney in the FRONT to make it easier for access for biopsy if they ever need.

[livecam]

Thats a major incision Angie.  Maybe they are doing things differently now because mine is relatively tiny.  One day while waiting for a followup visit I grabbed my records and read the account of the surgery.  They did what is called the standard "hockey puck" incision in my case and that is exactly what it looks like.  None of it is visible in the area of the abdomen.  Good luck and I hope you get another call soon.

[Panda_9]

Thanks for the pic angie! Mine was about the same too, I think I remember counting 28 stapes, that was in 1994. Then when they removed it, they cut in the same spot but I had 32 staples! The size of the incision generally depends on your weight too. The bigger you are, the more they need to cut. I think now days incisions are getting much smaller as technology improves.

[angieskidney]

Thats a major incision Angie.  Maybe they are doing things differently now because mine is relatively tiny.  One day while waiting for a followup visit I grabbed my records and read the account of the surgery.  They did what is called the standard "hockey puck" incision in my case and that is exactly what it looks like.  None of it is visible in the area of the abdomen.  Good luck and I hope you get another call soon.

Ya mine is a hickey puck as well but goes real real low (yes, that low) but I think it is only that big because it was done back in April of 1990 ... how small is yours? Have any pics?

Thanks for the pic angie! Mine was about the same too, I think I remember counting 28 stapes, that was in 1994. Then when they removed it, they cut in the same spot but I had 32 staples! The size of the incision generally depends on your weight too. The bigger you are, the more they need to cut. I think now days incisions are getting much smaller as technology improves.

I forget how many staples I had. My mom had saved them though so maybe she knows. I didn't have to have my failed transplant removed though so I am glad about that But as for the incision being the size depending on your weight .. I was 98 lbs at 5'3".

[livecam]

Not very large at all in comparison to yours and with the scar approaching 5 years old it is barely detectable.  Sorry no pics in fact I can't remember any being taken at the time.  Recovery from the surgery and getting used to the new drugs were the main orders of the day back then.  Shoot I hope this kidney lasts a long time.  Really don't want to repeat the past.

[Panda_9]

The weight thing was just something I heard angie. Considering you were tiny, well then that must be all crap lol I was 75kg when I had mine.

[angieskidney]

The weight thing was just something I heard angie. Considering you were tiny, well then that must be all crap lol I was 75kg when I had mine.

Well it WAS 1990 I am sure things have improved in the last 16 years