Living Donors Online Message Board

Living Donation Discussion and News => Living Donation Forum => Topic started by: sgrant1158 on November 26, 2013, 12:54:21 PM

Title: Finally
Post by: sgrant1158 on November 26, 2013, 12:54:21 PM

 Just found out I can donate my kidney to my brother, DAVE. After a year of testing (glad its over)
Date is January 21, 2014 yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: elephant on November 26, 2013, 02:06:19 PM

Dear sgrant,

I hope you and your brother have a great 2014.  Keep us updated. 

Love, elephant

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: sally on November 27, 2013, 12:20:55 PM

Congrats! What a relief to get the final ok & finally have a date! I know its a huge weight off the mind!

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: Fr Pat on November 27, 2013, 06:36:50 PM

Congratulations! You will find it helpful to keep reading up on the experiences of past donors to get ready for your surgery and recovery. Lots of helpful hints for your hospital stay at www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors/infotips.cfm
      Fr. Pat

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: Stpfan44 on November 28, 2013, 05:38:58 AM

Hey conhrats and happy thanksgiving!

Just 1 question. Why does it take a year for testing? And what testing? Are u talkin bout the blood kit sample kit tjing?

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: Karol on November 29, 2013, 03:34:57 PM

Wow that's a long evaluation time. Best wishes to you both!  :)

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: Fr Pat on November 29, 2013, 06:34:12 PM

Dear "Stpfan44",
     An initial drawing of a blood sample can determine whether there is enough of a "match" between the potential donor and the recipient to make a successful transplant possible. A LOT more blood is drawn to help determine the health of the kidneys, the general health of the donor, whether the donor carries transmissible disease, etc. Then there are other tests (cardiogram, chest x-ray, cancer checks, CT or other scans, possibly a stress test, 24-hour urine collection, etc.) both to evaluate the functioning of the donor's kidneys and the over-all health of the donor. They have to be fairly sure that the donor can give a kidney without harming his/her own health, that the donated kidney will be strong enough to take care of the recipient, and that no diseases are passed along with the kidney. Then there are interviews/tests to evaluate the psychological status of the donor, to be fairly sure that the donor is acting freely and well-informed, and will be able to handle the post-op possibility of stress/depression especially if the transplant turns out to be unsuccessful. A social worker may also interview the potential donor about ability to handle the financial losses often involved.
     If any of these tests raise questions they may have to be repeated, or be evaluated by different doctors.
     All of this can take time, and some hospitals may deliberately move slowly so as to give the potential donor plenty of space in which to decide not to proceed. So, some hospitals proceed more quickly, while others may go more slowly. But there is always a LOT of testing involved.
    best wishes,
   Fr. Pat

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: Stpfan44 on December 01, 2013, 03:32:24 AM

Thank you Pat

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: Mizchelle on December 02, 2013, 02:19:06 PM

Such an EXCITING time!!! Congrats!!!

Title: Re: Finally
Post by: sgrant1158 on December 03, 2013, 08:57:07 AM

thanks everyone

looking forward to Jan now and helping my brother.

this took so long because at one time his doctor wanted to wait before surgery, not sure why, but now the doctor wants to go forward, so I had to re-do alot of the tests.

keep those prayers going for us