Whoo hoo! Major excitement

[Deanne]

I did some web surfing last week for the name of my company with "Kidney" and struck gold. I found another employee who had a transplant, just a few months ago. I sent him email asking if he was comfortable talking about it and I got an answer that he'd be glad to share his experiences. I know I can get most of the same information here, but since it's someone who works where I do, I can get some insight into the specific transplant center I'll use, how it works with our own insurance plan, what kind of work-specific challenges he faced, etc. I'm very excited. 

[thegrammalady]

how exciting. i'm sure you'll get all kinds of usefull information including peace of mind.

[boswife]

how amazing!!!!!  i can see why you'ld be excited!  Congrats on your find, and hope you get all ya need to soothe your mind and thoughts...   

[RichardMEL]

This is great! Therre's nothing like face time with someone local who's lived it and can share their prerspectives with you!

[Deanne]

I'm chicken to call him! I need to  myself.

[Jean]

Come on, give him a call. It will be so helpful to know of his experiences and you will enjoy the whole thing and be better prepared when the time comes.

[okarol]

Call or email, whatever you're comfortable doing. Sounds like a great resource!

[looneytunes]

Is it the known or the unknown that makes you fearful?  If he is willing to talk, my vote is you should call! 

[Deanne]

I'll call him. I checked a couple of times yesterday, but he showed as away in Outlook. I don't think it's fear of either the known or the unknown. I mostly just hate talking on the phone. I'll keep an eye on his availability again today.

[MooseMom]

He may be away for the holidays.  Keep checking.

I understand not really liking talking on the phone.  Do you think you could make the phone part short and arrange to do most of your talking over coffee or something like that?  I would bet that he's looking forward to talking to you.  If you got a transplant and someone who also needed one called you for some advice and encouragement, wouldn't you jump at the chance to "give back" in this way?  I suspect he feels the same.

I can't wait to hear about your conversation(s) with him!  You'll get a lot of information, but DO try to remember that these will be HIS experiences, that your experience may prove to be very different (or very similar, for that matter).

[Deanne]

Yes on meeting for coffee or something thing. I thought I'd suggest taking him out to lunch once I catch him in & available. A lot of people are out this week and next week. Others (like me) are technically "in" but keeping a rather lax schedule. His calendar shows that he's in today (but he's dispaying as offline), then out until after New Year's, so I probably won't be able to catch up to him for a couple of weeks.

I suspect you're correct in that he'll be very happy to share his experiences. He was one of those rare, lucky people who had an altruistic donor. I found him through an article that was written up after his transplant. He didn't know who his donor was until after his transplant when he found out he knew someone who knew someone who'd offered a kidney to anyone who needed one. By putting two & two together, they figured out he was the lucky recipient.

[Deanne]

I have a lunch date!  I'm meeting Jon for lunch next Tuesday.

[okarol]

  That's great!!

[MooseMom]

I can't wait to hear all about your lunch date!  I hope that once all is said and done, you will feel really happy and encouraged.  How fortunate you are to have this opportunity to speak with Jon!

[rsudock]

How did it go??

xo,
R

[Deanne]

Just got back from lunch a little while ago. It went great! He's a very kind person who's transplant is doing great, and he was able to give me some good ideas about what to expect, like that the transplant team I'll be working with is great, but they seem a bit intimidating at first, and that my first meeting will be with the finance office (of course!). His biggest message was to stay proactive and do my best to get transplanted before I need dialysis because in-center HD (his only option) is awful. It was reassuring to talk to someone who's been through it all and is now living a "normal" life.

[rsudock]

to get transplanted before I need dialysis because in-center HD (his only option) is awful.

I concur...glad it went well.

xo,
R

[Jean]

Good job, glad you finally did it. Is he open to more conversation at a later date, as questions arise? Hope so.

[MooseMom]

Good for you!  I'm glad you two were able to meet up and that he was able to give you some reassurance.  Gosh, getting a pre-emptive transplant would be wonderful, wouldn't it?  That's what I'm hoping for, but, well, I don't know.  Anyway, I'm glad that you've been able to meet with someone who can give you hope that life may well return to "normal" for you.

[Deanne]

He's very open to further communication and said to let him know if I need his help with anything along the way. He said he has a movie, or documentary, or something about PD and he's going to drop it in interoffice mail for me to watch since I said that's my preference if a pre-emptive transplant doesn't work out.

[macgoose]

i AM HAPPY FOR DEANNE.  MY QUESTION-----DOES A 70 YEAR OLD WOMAN HAVE ANY CHANCE OF A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.  WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR ONE TO BE PLACED ON THE TRANSPLANT LIST.  DOES AGE BECOME A FACTOR RELATIVE TO TRANSPLANTS?

[Deanne]

macgoose, I don't know the answer to your question about age as a factor to transplant. It probably depnds on a lot of things - the center you're talking to, other medical conditions, etc. You'll probably have a much better response if you post this question in it's own thread. This thread is a bit old and probably not looked at much.

[tyefly]

Deanne..... just to let you know    that I did get my transplant at OHSU..... they are the best  very professional  and I have all the confidence in these guys.... I must say.... legacy...... used staples and OSHU  does not.... its a big plus in my book.....
 
 Here's looking for a quick to get transplant......   take care

[Deanne]

Thanks! I'm glad things are going so well for you. I'm listed now at OHSU.  My experience with them was much more positive than it was at Good Sam. My neph thinks my wait will be short, so I'm scurrying to put my house together so when it all happens, I can sit back and relax while I heal.