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!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 9, 2020

@retiredteacher Thanks for your prayers. I have not given up all hope of a transplant, but I first have to beat this pancreatic cancer (again). And then I have to be cancer free for 5 years before I will be eligible for a transplant. Omaha took me off their list. Mayo didn't take me off the list, just made me inactive because I am too sick for transplant. I meet with my oncologist tomorrow morning to determine a plan of treatment.

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@retiredteacher Thanks for your prayers. I have not given up all hope of a transplant, but..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@retiredteacher Thanks for your prayers. I have not given up all hope of a transplant, but I first have to beat this pancreatic cancer (again). And then I have to be cancer free for 5 years before I will be eligible for a transplant. Omaha took me off their list. Mayo didn't take me off the list, just made me inactive because I am too sick for transplant. I meet with my oncologist tomorrow morning to determine a plan of treatment.

Jump to this post

@marvinjsturing Are you being treated at Mayo? From what I have read they have an excellent center for pancreatic cancer.
JK

REPLY
1 reply
Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@retiredteacher Thanks for your prayers. I have not given up all hope of a transplant, but..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@retiredteacher Thanks for your prayers. I have not given up all hope of a transplant, but I first have to beat this pancreatic cancer (again). And then I have to be cancer free for 5 years before I will be eligible for a transplant. Omaha took me off their list. Mayo didn't take me off the list, just made me inactive because I am too sick for transplant. I meet with my oncologist tomorrow morning to determine a plan of treatment.

Jump to this post

@marvinjsturing One positive in your journey is that you have been through pancreatic cancer before so you know what to expect. Hopefully, this time will be easier. Then another five years sounds like too long, but getting your pancreas well is the first step again. Sometimes we wonder why things happen the way they do. I read a book entitled, Why Bad Things Happen to Good People. It is a comforting read, if you feel like thinking through that. It was given to me when I was going through a hard time in my life, and I found some consolation. You know that people are thinking of you every day and asking for help and comfort for you. Positive thoughts and prayers go nightly from me. If asking and praying can make things happen, then it will happen in your favor. It's just going to take a little more time. Growing up, I prayed daily for a bad situation in my life to be better. My mother told me and I have heard pastors and religious people say that the Good Lord doesn't get in a hurry, so we have to have patience. Stay in touch; I'll lift you up from my home, and I know others will too.
Carol

REPLY
1 reply
marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@marvinjsturing Are you being treated at Mayo? From what I have read they have an excellent..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@marvinjsturing Are you being treated at Mayo? From what I have read they have an excellent center for pancreatic cancer.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell Six years ago, I had my diagnosis and Whipple surgery done at Mayo in Rochester. My chemo was done at my local hospital. Every 6 months I went to Mayo for my PET scans. Last December, I had a PET scan done locally. It was inconclusive, so I went to Mayo for a second opinion. They did confirm that my cancer had come back. I will have my radiation treatments done locally but I will insist that my 6 month checkups will be done at Mayo.

REPLY
marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @retiredteacher "@marvinjsturing One positive in your journey is that you have been through pancreatic cancer before so..." + (show)
@retiredteacher

@marvinjsturing One positive in your journey is that you have been through pancreatic cancer before so you know what to expect. Hopefully, this time will be easier. Then another five years sounds like too long, but getting your pancreas well is the first step again. Sometimes we wonder why things happen the way they do. I read a book entitled, Why Bad Things Happen to Good People. It is a comforting read, if you feel like thinking through that. It was given to me when I was going through a hard time in my life, and I found some consolation. You know that people are thinking of you every day and asking for help and comfort for you. Positive thoughts and prayers go nightly from me. If asking and praying can make things happen, then it will happen in your favor. It's just going to take a little more time. Growing up, I prayed daily for a bad situation in my life to be better. My mother told me and I have heard pastors and religious people say that the Good Lord doesn't get in a hurry, so we have to have patience. Stay in touch; I'll lift you up from my home, and I know others will too.
Carol

Jump to this post

We just got home from an appointment with my oncologist. After reviewing my reports from Mayo, he concurred with their recommended treatment plan - radiation without any chemo (chemo may do further damage my kidneys). My greatest fear was that it would take a couple of weeks to get in to see the radiologist. But God answered our prayers. Tomorrow, after meeting with the nurse and the doctor, I will have a radiation planning session. I have another radiation planning session on Thursday. I am not sure exactly when radiation will start or how long it will last. It will be 5 days a week. Mayo talked about 3 - 5 weeks. My oncologist this morning talked about 6 weeks. I'm sure I will learn more of the details when I talk to my doctor tomorrow.

REPLY
3 replies
jodeej | @jodeej | Mar 10, 2020

I'm so glad things are moving fairly quickly for you. Are you going to Avera in Sioux Falls? Many prayers for healing are going up.
Blessings,
JoDee

REPLY
1 reply
marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @jodeej "I'm so glad things are moving fairly quickly for you. Are you going to Avera in..." + (show)
@jodeej

I'm so glad things are moving fairly quickly for you. Are you going to Avera in Sioux Falls? Many prayers for healing are going up.
Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

@jodeej I am going to Sanford

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "We just got home from an appointment with my oncologist. After reviewing my reports from Mayo,..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

We just got home from an appointment with my oncologist. After reviewing my reports from Mayo, he concurred with their recommended treatment plan - radiation without any chemo (chemo may do further damage my kidneys). My greatest fear was that it would take a couple of weeks to get in to see the radiologist. But God answered our prayers. Tomorrow, after meeting with the nurse and the doctor, I will have a radiation planning session. I have another radiation planning session on Thursday. I am not sure exactly when radiation will start or how long it will last. It will be 5 days a week. Mayo talked about 3 - 5 weeks. My oncologist this morning talked about 6 weeks. I'm sure I will learn more of the details when I talk to my doctor tomorrow.

Jump to this post

@marvinjsturing So good to hear you are being fast-tracked for treatment. You have many supporters here standing in the corner, cheering you on!
Ginger

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@jodeej I am going to Sanford" + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@jodeej I am going to Sanford

Jump to this post

@marvinjsturing Praying for you, Marvin, that the treatment is effective and you feel well during the process. As @gingerw said we are in your corner and cheering you on!

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "We just got home from an appointment with my oncologist. After reviewing my reports from Mayo,..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

We just got home from an appointment with my oncologist. After reviewing my reports from Mayo, he concurred with their recommended treatment plan - radiation without any chemo (chemo may do further damage my kidneys). My greatest fear was that it would take a couple of weeks to get in to see the radiologist. But God answered our prayers. Tomorrow, after meeting with the nurse and the doctor, I will have a radiation planning session. I have another radiation planning session on Thursday. I am not sure exactly when radiation will start or how long it will last. It will be 5 days a week. Mayo talked about 3 - 5 weeks. My oncologist this morning talked about 6 weeks. I'm sure I will learn more of the details when I talk to my doctor tomorrow.

Jump to this post

@marvinjsturing It sounds as if a good plan is in place and that you will be getting started soon. I hope you will keep up with your progress. This reminds me that I need to call my friend and see how her husband is doing with his chemo. She works full time and is pretty occupied so I don't hear as frequently as I wish I could.
JK

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.