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In 2009, I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. In 2014, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I had a Whipple, became a Type I diabetic and received 6 months of chemo. Because of a rare reaction to the chemo, I was diagnosed with CKD in 2015. For the past 3 years, I have been mostly at Stage 5 with occasional test results at Stage 4. I am not on dialysis yet. I have to be cancer free for 5 years before I can have a kidney transplant (January, 2020), but both oncology and nephrology said I can begin the evaluation process. If everything looks good, they will put me on the inactive list until my 5 year anniversary. On August 27, I will begin 4 very busy days of tests and consultations at Mayo in Rochester.
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My kidney transplant evaluation is done - 17 appointments in 4 days plus a tour of the Gift of Life Transplant House. It started with blood work. They drew 20 vials of blood. They test to see what diseases you've had (or didn't have - they don't want you getting sick when you are on anti-rejection drugs after the transplant.) I had to have a chest X-ray, an EKG, an ultrasound (to see where the transplanted kidney can be placed). and a stress echocardiogram. I met with financial services, a social worker, a pharmacist, the transplant coordinator, dietician, nephrologist, physical therapist, surgeon and in my case, oncologist. Monday was the busiest day - 10 1/2 hours of appointments. I was afraid that I was going to be overwhelmed by all the information I was going to receive, but before I went, I read Mayo's kidney transplant website and the websites of a couple of other hospitals.
All the information from my evaluation will be presented to the transplant committee in the next week or so and they will make a determination whether or not to put my name on the transplant list. If they do put my name on the list, I will be classified as inactive until I have been cancer free for 5 years. From talking to the nephrologist, it sounds like they have not had many requests for a kidney transplant from a pancreatic cancer survivor.
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@marvinjsturing, This really sounds promising for you! I know that this must surely be a relief of sorts to be able to begin the process!
By beginning the process, you will be well monitored and ready to "Go forward in 2020". You are absolutely right - 4 very busy days lie ahead. I think that you will be amazed by the level of compassion and knowledge that await you.
Is someone going with you to be your extra set of ears?
Do you have any questions about the Mayo Campus?