The Transplant Nephrologist ( kidney doctor )
He reviewed the complete process, discussed when to do the transplant from a GFR ( level of kidney function ) angle and donor considerations. We discussed all possible problems that can occur both short and long term including drug side affects ( there was nothing that would make me say no ). That’s the way I/we like it, all the facts to plan and decide with. Once again He was great to deal with, spoke at a level we understood and thouroughly answered all our questions. Here’s the typical drill :
The Transplant process goes something like this,
- Monday is the Surgery Day for both Recipient and Donor,
- Donor is discharged that Thursday, Recipient Discharged that Friday. The Donor recovery is much quicker than the recipientsdue to the Donors Surgery being much less invasive.
- The Recipient ( ME ) will spend the next approximate 8 weeks with Renal Unit Checkups every Monday and Thursday morning. They’ll be tweaking meds to ensure no rejection issues arise and if they do ( which is not uncommon ( they catch it quickly and everything is peachy. Losing a Kidney to rejection IF you follow thier program is VERY Rare. The first 2 weeks after surgery , no driving, but walking is not really a problem.
- When it looks like things are stable for a few visits they knock the visits back to once a week which I can do in Kelowna, Until then I’ll be mostly near Vancouver. I’m guessing I’ll do a couple Thurs afternoon – Sundaynite trips back home as its only a 4.5 hr drive, If its summer that this is done I here recovery on a Boat on Okanagan Lake is most benificial, for both Donor and Recipient.
- Time off work is typically 3 – 4 months. ( We’ll see )
Next Appointment was Lab Work re TISSUE TYPE TESTING for compatability, Both my Wife and I had our blood taken to be used to Tissue Match her as a possible donor as all her preliminary tests showed she is a strong candidate. At the same time another family member / potential donor 1700 km’s away, had his blood drawn and had it Flown to Vancouver for Tissue Typing testing this week.
It will be a week of waiting to get the preliminary results back on the tissue typing, then hopefully pic a date !
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