One phone call and I'm ready for the listing process to be done!

[Deanne]

I finally heard from the transplant center about my next (first) steps and I'm already soooo ready for this to be done! It's just little things and I know there'll be a lot of hassles to deal with. I need to learn to be more patient. I hate it that I have to ask one of my friends to go to my first (financial / social worker) meeting. It's a 2.5 hour meeting. I so don't understand why I have to do drag one of my friends to this, but she said it's required. My only friend who doesn't work / would be the most likely to be available is on vacation out of state, so I had to send her email asking if she'll be home by then and if she's willing to go with me. I don't know if she's checking email.

[MooseMom]

The whole transplant eval process is a true profile in patience.  Sheesh!

I don't know why your center requires that you have someone with you at the SW meeting.  My center didn't require that I be accompanied although my coordinator said that "it just looks better" if you do.  Maybe they don't want to give a kidney to some weird Johnny-No-Mates, I dunno.  It's just one more hoop to jump through and one more way in which you have no control over the whole damn thing.

[tyefly]

Dont feel bad   I was told the same.... I had to come when I could bring my care partner..... with out Care partner   no meeting...  I guess they want you to prove that you have someone willing to help you if you need it....   There are so many hoops to go thru with all of this   either   Dialysis   or Transplant..... 

   what happened to the simple life.....  No  Pills...    No appointments.......No doctors....   

[Des]

ready yourself for a lot of read tape.

the whole process is HURRY UP! and wait.
 

[KarenInWA]

Deanne,

I had to bring someone with me also.  My friend went with me, then afterwards, we and another friend went to the theater and saw Hair from front row seats! My appr took longer than 2.5 hours, though.  I was there from 10am to about 5pm.  There was a lot of waiting inbetween dr's, etc.  I met with one of the coordinators, the social worker, dietician, transplant neph and transplant surgeon.  Then I went to the lab and "donated" 16 vials of blood.  Happy to say, I could stand up straight after all that! (Oh, and my friend went and got lunch during the whole ordeal, too.)

Yes, it is a lot of hoops to jump through.  I ended up having to get add'l breast imaging and a core needle biopsy to get on the list, all for a 7mm lump that can't be felt.  Thankfully (?) I have a history of these lumps, so that wasn't too surprising. I'm just really thankful I have really good insurance!

Good luck!!!

[Deanne]

My first appointment is only with the social worker / financial person. I guess they don't want my blood unless I pass the bank account test. I'm wondering if I should take a copy of my tax returns and bank statements. Maybe my credit reports and credit score? 

[rsudock]

Why is it the will of the healthy that makes up the fate of the sick??? So annoying this healthcare system!!

[MooseMom]

Why is it the will of the healthy that makes up the fate of the sick???

Because they can.

[paris]

I was required to have someone with me. I think it is so overwhelming and so much information, that I was glad to have someone else take notes and ask questions.    I like my financial co-ordinator.  She has been with me throughout all of this - for almost 6 years.  Basically, she just needed our insurance information; she contacts them. Then she showed us a complete list of procedures, drugs, etc and that gives you a good idea where you stand financially with the hospital and insurance payments.   I always came away feeling comforted.   The different people I saw explained to me that they weren't trying to rule me out, just trying to get everything ready for the day a kidney came available.     It took about 8-9 months for my approval, but I know others have received their's quicker.    Wishing you a smooth journey and LOTS of patience.  I am not a patiant person!