@mlmcg, I think that you are right - the kidney comes first! In my case it is liver/kidney. We must learn to 'do what we are supposed to do'. And keep on doing it.
Yes, I was only on dialysis for 9 weeks. Mine was caused by acute kidney failure elated to my liver failure. I had just enough to know that I did not like dialysis, but it did keep me alive. It is kind of strange, though, because this was all so immediate and critical, that I never did learn anything about the ins and outs od dialysis. That is why I really appreciate when you generously shared your experiences.

I am happy that you are doing well since your transplant. Would you consider to share something, about your after transplant life on one of our other transplant forums?
I am a firm believer of supporting others thru their transplant process, so, I invite you to look at Living Life after Transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-life-after-your-transplant/
or
Celebrate your Transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/celebrate-your-transplant-blessings/
These are just suggestions,. I would enjoy hearing more from you.
Rosemary

I forgot about washing hands each time you come home. I have been in the hospital so many times after my transplant that washing hands is something I do not do anymore. The one thing I do not do is share body fluids. I did have cytomegalovirus, I waited to have it well over a year after my transplant. So I had to take those expensive meds again. I would not recommend getting cytomegalovirus, I felt like I was having the flu but I knew it was not the flu. The virus eats your white blood cells until they are all gone and you cannot fight anything off. I still have the virus however it is dormant. I will share some things and some things I will not share. 
When they knew I would be on hemodialysis they put a shunt in my left arm, it lasted a week. There was not enough time to start a fistula on the right arm so a catheter was put in within an hour or so before I had my first dialysis. A fistula was put in later and used for about two years until a nurse killed it. They had to go back to the catheter, which usually last 6-9 months. I had it in two and a half years. I was never a candidate for peritoneal, too many surgeries on my tummy. 
I was able to have dialysis in the evening and found it a wonderful time to have dialysis. I never left tired, went home ate, so I could take my meds with food, went to bed, and got up refreshed the next morning. My doctor was able to get me on 4 days a week dialysis and I felt great. I could do what I wanted during the day went to dialysis in the evening, even went grocery shopping after dialysis when I was running out of food.
When I got the call that there was a kidney with my name on it, I had just received a 90 day supply of meds I needed while I was on dialysis. I still have them. 
mlmcg

@mlmcg, You have quite an amazing story. And you are being generous to share it. It shows how different we all are, and how many different methods and treatment can be provided for each one of us. You must have had a good doctor to take care of you.

That is really interesting that you got the call right after you received a 90 day refill of your meds. That had to have been a complete surprise! The "call" is really a special moment, isn't it?

Rosemary

Here is information about Cytomegalovirus (CMV) if anyone needs it.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358

I had been on the transplant list for 6 years when I received "the call" that a kidney, a good match, was calling my name. When I received that call, on my cell phone, I was on the house phone talking with the person who had the list of those who were willing to be available from midnight to midnight to drive me to the hospital. I put my cell phone on speaker so both of us could hear what I had to do. 
I have had the same doctor for almost 20 years and any patient who is willing to take care of them self he will be there for them 24-7. When I am in the hospital he will stop in to see how I was doing, even when he is not my admitting doctor.
When I needed to "talk" with others going through or have been through the "joys" of a transplant, there were none. I do not want anyone to go through it alone. Doctors and nurses who have not had a transplant can only tell you what others have told them or what they have read. I am willing to share what I have experienced. 
mlmcg

@mlmcg - I am anxiously waiting for someone else to join this conversation. Your story is remarkable.
I was really interested in your details about your Call. That explains another instance of how individualized the entire transplant process is!
By the time I got my Call, I was at Mayo Clinic Rochester and had been told to "Not leave town" Did you have to travel far to get to your facility?

Rosemary

It takes about an hour and a half during the day to get to the hospital where I had my transplant, in the dead of night, when we went, about 45 minutes. 
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. My transplant was done at UCSF, University of California, San Francisco, I live in San Jose. We drove at highway speed passing a few cars. My transplant came from the University of Stanford in Palo Alto, which we passed on the way. 
When I was waiting to be checked in a driver arrived with an ice chest. I did not ask if he had a kidney from Stanford, but as soon as I was in the room a nurse with a needle and 10 empty vials arrived. I have never given so much blood at one time. I am not an easy stick, but he was good.
Which hospital did you have your transplant in? When they built that big tall building across from Methodist Hospital my aunt and uncle, who moved to Rochester in the late 30's, moved into that retirement home.
mlmcg

When I got my 'call' I was living in Rochester at Gift of Life Transplant House. So My husband and I rode the patient shuttle for 7 blocks to the hospital. Originally I was listed for only a liver transplant in Kentucky. We live 45 miles from that facility and my husband could have done it a record speed, I'm sure. Complications resulted in a referral to Mayo for consult, but that never happened because I developed acute renal failure and was in critical condition. After a week was transported out of ICU to Rochester. So I got my liver and kidney at Mayo - one surgery with 2 organs from same donor.

That is really interesting that you drove past the donor hospital. And I cannot even imagine what you thought or felt to see that cooler with maybe your kidney. I've never heard that happening to anyone before!

As a liver patient, blood is always drawn in enormous volumes! I think they take at least 14 on my annual evaluations. I never did get used to it, and I still close my eyes during the stick and the draw! Fortunately, most phlebotomists understand and talk to distract me.

I will look for that building when I go to Rochester for my eval next spring. My husband asks if it is 'that tall colonial' structure?

Rosemary

Please check out the building, I do not remember what the building looked like it was new when my aunt and uncle moved in and had everything a retired person wanted. You would buy an apartment and when the time came you could move to assisted living, or full time nursing. They had all the activities anyone would ever want. When I was there for their 60th wedding anniversary the place was not able to maintain the dream the builders wanted, I do not know for sure but I think they were unable to attract as many residents as they needed. 
My aunt and uncle were on the 14th floor across from the heli-pad at Methodist Hospital. They could walk all the way underground, from I do not remember from where, downtown maybe, to their building with access to the hospital and many other places along the way.  
Because all my blood work lab results, goes to UCSF via computer, as well as staying here, I only have to have 7 vials drawn for my annual and 6 month draws, compared to the 4-5 I usually have drawn every 6 weeks. I close my eyes when I have my blood work done, where they do children and babies, so they are good. I usually let the "vampires" know when it is a good stick, because I have to have the draw done in my hand.
mlmcg

@mlmcg - Thanks for sharing your story. I agree with Rosemary, everyones stories are so different. Why do you need the blood draw one in your hand? I think those are very painful.

Lynn, I wanted to let you know that I just completed my evaluation this week in Rochester. Went very well and many of the things I feared would be issues were not. I will find out next Wed whether I am approved as a kidney donor for my husband, denied or deferred. But the entire team was very encouraging and I am going back to Arkansas tomorrow with tons of information and a much better feeling about the entire process. Love my donor nurse Lisa King who I will contact with any more questions that may arise. They are so thorough here you really are not left with many questions. I could easily check my test results and reports on my portal so that was handy. Was able to send my husband a picture of my left kidney which he will hopefully receive. They typically remove the left kidney for donation as the blood vessel is longer. Also found out that your test results are valid for 18 months.

Faune