Kidney transplant - The Journey from the Donor's Side

Just a side note, my daughter, also my donor, bought me the new BP monitor. I had an older one. She wants to make sure that her kidney, now mine, is well taken care of. She’s such a caring person and I’m so blessed to have her! Of course I can’t leave out my two other daughters who were our caretakers and are pretty terrific, too!
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Here is an update on my non-directed kidney donor process. I completed the testing last Friday -except for an appointment with the psychologist this morning. Everyone I met was so wonderful and caring. All of my test results are great except for one thing. The CT angiogram of my kidneys show I have two arteries to each kidney which is good ( I found out from the surgeon you can have one to up to four arteries to each). The not good news is the upper. larger arteries both have mild FMD which is fibromuscular dysplasia. This means a small segment of each one has some "beading" which looks like a beaded necklace. The surgeon said it isn't a problem from his standpoint but others on the team may be more conservative. The nephrologist met with me next and at first wasn't very positive. He was concerned it may cause harm to me later ( hypertension or kidney disease) if I only have one kidney. After he talked with the radiologist he changed his mind and said it was "minor" and since I'm in my 50's with normal blood pressure he doesn't think it will be a problem. He said the team will have to review everything and decide. SO the team meets tomorrow (I don't know what time). The coordinator will call me after they meet to let me know. I REALLY want to do this. I can't explain why but it is really important to me. Please pray that everything will be ok and I will be approved! Thank you!

Here is an update on my non-directed kidney donor process. I completed the testing last Friday -except for an appointment with the psychologist this morning. Everyone I met was so wonderful and caring. All of my test results are great except for one thing. The CT angiogram of my kidneys show I have two arteries to each kidney which is good ( I found out from the surgeon you can have one to up to four arteries to each). The not good news is the upper. larger arteries both have mild FMD which is fibromuscular dysplasia. This means a small segment of each one has some "beading" which looks like a beaded necklace. The surgeon said it isn't a problem from his standpoint but others on the team may be more conservative. The nephrologist met with me next and at first wasn't very positive. He was concerned it may cause harm to me later ( hypertension or kidney disease) if I only have one kidney. After he talked with the radiologist he changed his mind and said it was "minor" and since I'm in my 50's with normal blood pressure he doesn't think it will be a problem. He said the team will have to review everything and decide. SO the team meets tomorrow (I don't know what time). The coordinator will call me after they meet to let me know. I REALLY want to do this. I can't explain why but it is really important to me. Please pray that everything will be ok and I will be approved! Thank you!

Here is an update on my non-directed kidney donor process. I completed the testing last Friday -except for an appointment with the psychologist this morning. Everyone I met was so wonderful and caring. All of my test results are great except for one thing. The CT angiogram of my kidneys show I have two arteries to each kidney which is good ( I found out from the surgeon you can have one to up to four arteries to each). The not good news is the upper. larger arteries both have mild FMD which is fibromuscular dysplasia. This means a small segment of each one has some "beading" which looks like a beaded necklace. The surgeon said it isn't a problem from his standpoint but others on the team may be more conservative. The nephrologist met with me next and at first wasn't very positive. He was concerned it may cause harm to me later ( hypertension or kidney disease) if I only have one kidney. After he talked with the radiologist he changed his mind and said it was "minor" and since I'm in my 50's with normal blood pressure he doesn't think it will be a problem. He said the team will have to review everything and decide. SO the team meets tomorrow (I don't know what time). The coordinator will call me after they meet to let me know. I REALLY want to do this. I can't explain why but it is really important to me. Please pray that everything will be ok and I will be approved! Thank you!

@hopefulgirl my prayers are going up for you and your transplant team during this waiting time. As a person of faith I believe that the best plan will unfold, in the best way at the best time for those who put their trust in God with their lives. My family and I have been in a similar situation as you and have seen this in process. My fil and myself are transplant recipients, one daughter is a donor, another daughter attempted to be a donor but is currently deferred. I am currently placed on inactive status for kidney transplant because the CKD has improved & become stable. The team determined that I am “too healthy at present for transplant!” Wishing and praying the best for you. Cheryl

Well, it's been a tough past few days. The transplant team decided I was not a good candidate to give a kidney. They decided the fibromuscular dysplasia of the two top renal arteries may cause problems for me later. I have had a difficult time with this. I have been praying about this and later going through the screening process and then testing - for the past year. I had time off arranged from work, a plan for care after surgery, had talked to my family and now it's just not going to happen. I know God has a reason and I need to trust Him. Ugh! I know I can be used in other ways to help others, I guess it will just take time to adjust. I asked about being a non directed liver donor but they said Mayo doesn't do non directed for livers. Good luck to those of you waiting to either donate or to receive a kidney. I'll be glad to answer any questions about the donor process for anyone that has them. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

Well, it's been a tough past few days. The transplant team decided I was not a good candidate to give a kidney. They decided the fibromuscular dysplasia of the two top renal arteries may cause problems for me later. I have had a difficult time with this. I have been praying about this and later going through the screening process and then testing - for the past year. I had time off arranged from work, a plan for care after surgery, had talked to my family and now it's just not going to happen. I know God has a reason and I need to trust Him. Ugh! I know I can be used in other ways to help others, I guess it will just take time to adjust. I asked about being a non directed liver donor but they said Mayo doesn't do non directed for livers. Good luck to those of you waiting to either donate or to receive a kidney. I'll be glad to answer any questions about the donor process for anyone that has them. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!