Three years ago my blood work came back with GFR-37, creatine close to 2. I was told to go see a neuphrologist, but since I don’t have any health insurance I went to a dietation at local grocery store.
Put myself on a renal diet, low protein, low potassium, no processed foods, etc. Last blood work 1 year ago, GFR was in 50’s, creative was 1.7. My A1C was still a little high, cholesterol was 305. I have been on blood pressure meds since 2 years post donation.
I am not overweight, 5’6, 135#, and very physically active. Just hiked Grand Canyon twice in April, 55 miles total in 2 hikes, 5 days apart. Hiking is my exercise of choice because of pain in left side post donation. My surgery was the split you in half, take your bottom rib. It took 16 years, asking several doctors, finally going to Mayo to find out surgeon had screwed up and sewed nerve endings with muscles in my side. When nerve endings get irritated/inflamed it hurts! I have a high tolerance for pain, as my children were born (induced) without any type of pain meds.
As I am self employed, my health insurance went up $2400 a year in 1998. Transplant doctor tried to collect from my insurance, and recipients insurance for pre op tests, etc. I no longer have any health insurance, make to much for subsidized ACA, so it would be $1700 a month for $6550 deductible.
My recipient pays $115 a month for $1000 deductible, his wife quit her job, he only works part time, they have 3 kids. Guess maybe my husband of 40+ years could divorce me, maybe I’d qualify then.
Sorry if I sound bitter, my side is on fire lately, not getting much sleep because of pain. I don’t understand how come no one fights for the rights/welfare of the living donor. Their is a lot of help for the person needing a kidney, but no help for the living donor. No follow up care by the transplant hospital/doctors, no following the donors health 10, 20, 30 years later. It seems like every day there is another “donation” story on the media news, but there doesn’t seem to be any stories about not-so-great donation outcome stories. Why? Is it because there is “BIG” money for doctors, hospitals in living organ donations.