My husband and I just completed OUR 4-month post-op follow-up for his kidney transplant at Rochester-Mayo. I am 75 and donated a kidney to my 76 year old husband. My GFR was 75 and, just prior to surgery on 9/19/25, his GFR was at 15. Several years earlier we shockingly learned he was in Stage 4 Renal failure with his GFR at 28. After his kidney biopsy ruled out cancer, we immediately began to learn as much as we could to protect his diseased kidneys. We adopted a semi-plant-based diet and it became our life’s mission to maintain his kidney health. When his local Nephrologist began talking dialysis, we visited Mayo for a second opinion. After years of Mayo visits, his GFR was declining and Creatinine rising, so we inquired about a kidney transplant. We learned he would be too old to get a donor kidney from any registry, as it normally takes several years once on the donor list. At that point he’d be 80+ and no longer eligible. I had already indicated my desire to donate a kidney, which appeared to fall on deaf ears. Our daughter insisted on testing and learned she had a universal blood type. She is a young mother of three with a husband who has a very demanding job. I became more vocal about testing, with my universal blood type, so the Dr finally recommended me to the kidney transplant team for an eval. After 55 years of marriage, we celebrated the news that we were a suitable match. I was expecting “perfect,” but settled at being suitable. Preventing him from ever having dialysis and adhering to a strict diet played a huge part in his successful transplant. We cannot say that our story is all rosy, as the arsenal of meds (especially the anti-rejection drugs) have posed some issues. We feel so blessed to share our journey and hope others can benefit by the old adage, never say never, and be proactive with your health.