Living Donor: It's a huge responsibility

When my brother found out he had end-stage-renal failure almost 20 years ago, my first thought was to give him one of mine. Come to find out we didn't have the same blood types, he had our father's I our mother's. I also did not know I would I need a kidney myself, for different reasons. He was on dialysis in 6 months being diagnosed, I took 3 years. My doctor never had a patient go that long before not needing dialysis. I know that what I put in my mouth would affect my kidneys, beef can and does kill kidneys. I went on a vegetarian diet, excuse me, life style. Doctors are more likely not to approve, donor or receiver, if they are not caring for their own bodies to undergo the surgeries. They don't want to spend their time, and other's money, to have a transplant last a short period of time. I was on the LIST for 6 years and I have had my kidney for 10 years now. My brother had a live donor and he didn't take care of his body dying last year over weight. I have taken care of my body, in spite of the fact I have had 4 surgeries and 2 strokes in the last 10 years. I would never had the transplant if the doctors felt I wouldn't take care of my body and/or the kidney because I was reaching that magical age where they stop doing the surgeries.

We do not realize that we are not all the same and when the lab does their work they could find something in our blood we never knew we had and it could destroy the other person's immune system. If either of you are consuming high fat, high sodium or a high sugar (artificial or natural) foods you could be rejected. Being under or over weight could knock you out of giving or receiving a kidney. There are so many things that could say that you are not a match BUT that doesn't mean you would not be a perfect match for someone else. They're doing 4 way matches now. Good luck.

mlmcg

@tjdog I heard within a few days but I had a named recipient so I don't know if that made it go quicker or if I just got lucky? I'm excited for you and hope you hear soon!