1. < Transplants

What is the Living Donor Process Like?

Posted by ek101085 @ek101085, Apr 11, 2019

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone is able to shed some light on the process of being a living donor. I had just completed the questionnaire a week ago today for my sister, the day she found out she had been approved for a transplant at the Mayo. We have not heard anything other than her receiving a letter confirming she was approved for transplant The email said I would be contacted within 5 days.. I'm assuming I'm just worrying and being impatient since it has only been a week. Just seeing if there was anyone out that that is able to provide some reassurance in the process. There wasn't anything I answered in the health questionnaire that I would thing would not me allow to be tested..at least I had thought so. Amy info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

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jodeej | @jodeej | Feb 29, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "I spent 3 days at Mayo this week and got good news and bad news. The..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

I spent 3 days at Mayo this week and got good news and bad news. The good news: my kidney function was the highest it has been in the last 5 years. My GFR was up to 20. The bad news is that after 6 years of being cancer free, tests done this week indicate that my pancreatic cancer has returned. That ends any hope for a kidney transplant for at least 5 years. Waiting to hear the results of the biopsy so we can figure out how to attack this.

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I am so sorry, Marvin. I'll be praying for healing and guidance for the doctors. I can't imagine your frustration right now.
Blessing,
JoDee

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jodeej | @jodeej | Feb 29, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@gingerw My testing was done at Mayo. The surgeon I met with was Dr. Nagorney. He..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@gingerw My testing was done at Mayo. The surgeon I met with was Dr. Nagorney. He said he started at Mayo the same day that Dr. Farnell (who did my Whipple 6 years ago) started. He told me that Dr. Farnell was much smarter because he was already retired. My oncology nurse told me that Dr. Nagorney helped "train" Dr. Truty. I was told that a whole team of doctors reviewed my records and test results. At first I was told that I would be meeting with Dr. Truty but he was busy elsewhere. They are waiting for the biopsy report to come in before they finalize the treatment plan.

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I love Mayo's team effort. You know you will get the best care. Many, many prayers.

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 29, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@gingerw I met with a surgeon on Thursday. He said the arteries to the spleen, stomach..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@gingerw I met with a surgeon on Thursday. He said the arteries to the spleen, stomach and liver are in the tumor so they cannot do surgery. In cases like that, they would do radiation and an oral chemo. Because of my kidney problems I cannot do the chemo. That leaves radiation without chemo. This is all so recent, I have not had much time to think. I may have to see what's available for clinical trials.

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Hugs and peace to you, @marvinjsturing. When your mind settles down a bit, and you have time to think - I hope you can try to focus on knowing that you are in the best of care at Mayo.

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 1, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "I spent 3 days at Mayo this week and got good news and bad news. The..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

I spent 3 days at Mayo this week and got good news and bad news. The good news: my kidney function was the highest it has been in the last 5 years. My GFR was up to 20. The bad news is that after 6 years of being cancer free, tests done this week indicate that my pancreatic cancer has returned. That ends any hope for a kidney transplant for at least 5 years. Waiting to hear the results of the biopsy so we can figure out how to attack this.

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@marvinjsturing I am so sorry for the bad news. We have a close friend who is dealing with pancreatic cancer now also. It's a tough road.
The team efforts at the major hospitals really help to give the patient confidence. That was what I loved about Mass General too. When you know that multiple doctors are involved you know you are not getting the opinion of just one doctor. I have read that Mayo is at the forefront in pancreatic cancer treatments so you are in good hands there. What I read last year was about some new ways of dealing with it. Since then I read that U Co is doing the same thing.

Thoughts and prayers are with you, Marvin. Keep us informed. I know being on a forum such as this really can make you feel like you know the other people and that leads to caring about them.
JK

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marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 2, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "I spent 3 days at Mayo this week and got good news and bad news. The..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

I spent 3 days at Mayo this week and got good news and bad news. The good news: my kidney function was the highest it has been in the last 5 years. My GFR was up to 20. The bad news is that after 6 years of being cancer free, tests done this week indicate that my pancreatic cancer has returned. That ends any hope for a kidney transplant for at least 5 years. Waiting to hear the results of the biopsy so we can figure out how to attack this.

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Mayo called with the results of my biopsy. Pancreatic cancer has come back. Need to meet with a radiologist to set up a treatment plan.

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3 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "Mayo called with the results of my biopsy. Pancreatic cancer has come back. Need to meet..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

Mayo called with the results of my biopsy. Pancreatic cancer has come back. Need to meet with a radiologist to set up a treatment plan.

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@marvinjsturing Oh, how upsetting. I am so heartbroken to hear this, after all your patient waiting for that 5 year mark. How can we support you?
Ginger

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "Mayo called with the results of my biopsy. Pancreatic cancer has come back. Need to meet..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

Mayo called with the results of my biopsy. Pancreatic cancer has come back. Need to meet with a radiologist to set up a treatment plan.

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Hi @marvinjsturing, When will you meet with the radiologist?

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1 reply
marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @marvinjsturing, When will you meet with the radiologist?" + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @marvinjsturing, When will you meet with the radiologist?

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@colleenyoung I meet with my oncologist next week Tuesday. Hopefully meet with radiologist right after that.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 4, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@colleenyoung I meet with my oncologist next week Tuesday. Hopefully meet with radiologist right after that." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@colleenyoung I meet with my oncologist next week Tuesday. Hopefully meet with radiologist right after that.

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@marvinjsturing The wait to see a doctor when you have such a condition can be so frustrating. I hope your appointments go well and you have a good plan of action to defeat this. It's a scary time for you, I am sure. I am very tuned in since as I mentioned a close friend is going through treatment for pancreatic cancer also.
JK

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Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Mar 5, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "Mayo called with the results of my biopsy. Pancreatic cancer has come back. Need to meet..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

Mayo called with the results of my biopsy. Pancreatic cancer has come back. Need to meet with a radiologist to set up a treatment plan.

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@marvinjsturing I am disappointed that the cancer has returned, and I know you didn't expect that. However, it is wonderful that you are getting help fast and can start treatment to defeat the cancer again and get back on track for your transplant. I have been out of commission so I am sorry to be late responding. I have been thinking of you, and I will continue to pray that when all is said and done that you will walk out feeling terrific.
Carol

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