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Living Donor: It's a huge responsibility

Transplants | Last Active: Jul 20, 2018 | Replies (112)

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@cehunt57

I am 12 years post pancreas transplant and currently waiting for a kidney transplant (past 2 years). I am listed on UNOS, but am also looking for a living kidney donor. Today I came across this group on Mayo Connect. I want to say that the donation/transplant process involves a roller coaster of emotions for the potential recipients & donors alike. My own experience is that my 1st transplant 12 years ago came from a deceased donor after a miraculously short wait of 2 weeks. Now after 2 years waiting & looking, only 1 living kidney donor stepped up. It was my daughter. Our blood types, crossmatch/tissue typing was fine. We were both so hopeful. She went off to Mayo in Rochester, MN for donor evaluation the week of Thanksgiving. She ended up deferred for a variety of reasons and claims that she was told that she is an unsuitable donor. She was devastated and angry! I was disappointed but also concerned for my daughter and grateful that Mayo was looking out for her well being. My daughter feels like she was thwarted in doing something she desperately wanted to do and I still don't have any living donor prospects. I realize that Mayo has a stellar reputation for excellence in Transplantation and I've seen how they treat each case/situation individually not just like a number or statistic. So in the meantime I'm trying to pray and wait patiently, take as good a care of myself as I can (so I stay transplant ready) and trust that the best plan for me will unfold at the proper time.

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Replies to "I am 12 years post pancreas transplant and currently waiting for a kidney transplant (past 2..."

@cehunt57, I feel your rollercoaster of emotions. It is a very real path for a lot of transplantees, so we do understand. I am sorry that your daughter will not be eligible to be a donor and I imagine how disappointing that is for the both of you. I have met others who also felt the extreme disappointment at their inability to donate a kidney to a loved one. You are absolutely correct about Mayo's reputation, and how the patient's (in this case, your daughter) best interest is always the #1 priority. In my opinion, she will always be a hero because of her willingness to donate.
Patience, Prayers, and Hope are what I want for you as the best plan unfolds for you. One slow step at a time is still progress.
Hugs, Rosemary

@cehunt57 I am so sorry for the disappointment that you and your daughter have suffered. I guess there must be many things beyond blood type that allow a person to be a viable donor. I hope you find another donor, or get a kidney from a deceased donor sometime soon. I know how hard the wait is.
JK

I’ve had the same situation- happen to me. And like yourself I am doing everything possible to find another living donor. I believe that when the timing is right -
Everything will go forward. Best Regards - Denise