I am sorry that what I wrote was misunderstood. Transplanted kidneys do have a "shelf life". No one knows how the kidney was cared for before it was transplanted, which may have played a part in its life after the transplant. I have had limited experience knowing others who have had transplants. The meds that we take can reduce the life of the transplanted organs, not just kidneys. I know that if you have good reports for the first 10 years you are doing a good job. Anything after 10 years is remarkable. The greater the tissue match the less drugs are needed, the less stress on the kidney and body. Even though the doctors believe the kidney and body are a good match sometimes they are not.

I had my annual checkup yesterday and my meds were changed again. That could be good, or it could not be good. My body could be trying to get rid of that "thing" or they are becoming forever friends. Having a transplant is an experience the longer we can keep our transplant the more information doctors have learned about transplants, drugs needed and a million other things. Well, maybe not a million, but they know a lot more than they did.

Unfortunately your mother had a nurse she should never have had. You just overheard a conversation you should not have heard, and it sounds as if you have not been able let go of that conversation. You forgot to say if your mother made it through her surgery and how she is doing today.

mlmcg