@sevkira, Yes, you may ask. I'm not sure what "it" you refer to. So, I'll summarize it all: I was listed for a liver transplant in Kentucky. When my team detected possibility of bile duct cancer, I was deactivated until they could get a firm diagnosis about it. They could not, and then referred me to Mayo Rochester. I missed my appointment because 2 days prior to the scheduled appointment, I was in ICU with acute renal failure. I was started on dialysis to keep me alive until they could decide if they could do anything. Mayo agreed to see me. My only other option was hospice facility. I was transported by air ambulance to Mayo Rochester from ICU. I spent an additional 2 weeks in hospital while Mayo was able get me to the point that they could do the tests to screenings for cancer. With no cancer, I was approved for liver transplant.
During that time I was receiving dialysis treatment 3 days a week with the hope that my kidneys would gain some function - they did not. I was even fitted with a more permanent dialysis port to give them more time of maybe improving as some of my strength returned. Finally, it was decided by the kidney team that they were 'beyond" any return to function. That is when the liver specialist that I was referred to, told my that I needed to make a very serious decision. I had 2 choices: 1- have a liver transplant and take a very risky gamble that the kidney might revive at some level of function. This includes the very real possibility of needing another surgery for a kidney and continued. Odds were stacked against me. 2 - ask for referral to the kidney transplant testing. Like I said, I really did not have a choice, but it was a very difficult thing to have to face. I feared the surgery. I feared the waiting, and the unknowing. This was all new to me and my husband.
But...now here's the good part.
The compassion, and the expertise and knowledge of the transplant teams at Mayo are is so good at what they do, that they have all (or most) of the answers before you even think to ask them. They explain it to you. They tell you that there is no dumb question. And they, in my opinion, will be able to talk with you about this decision, as well as long term dialysis.
We are all different with different underlying conditions. And these can play a huge role in decisions and treatment. So keep on asking and learning.

Do you have an appointment scheduled yet?
Rosemary
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