PKD kidneys removed at time of transplant

The simple answer is that living donor's are shown to last much longer respectively.

@rosemarya, thank you for the encouragement and the reminder of such a great verse! Cheryl

@jolinda, thanks for the encouragement and the reminder to pray for the donor. I don’t believe in luck; it is in God’s hands. Cheryl

Hi @mlmcg, I'm confident that members here in the Transplant group agree with you. Taking care of one's body and making healthy lifestyle choices honors the gift of life that a donor (deceased or living) has made.

It's also important to note that organ transplant is not always necessitated because someone made poor lifestyle choices. There are many reasons that necessitate organ transplant. Whatever the reason, healthy lifestyle choices post transplant make sense. I see so many of you sharing how you take care of your mind and bodies. You strive to eat well, exercise, drink water, avoid infection, reduce stress, get restorative sleep, etc. In short, you choose health.

To your question about living vs. deceased donor, I'm not the most knowledgeable in this arena. A quick google search revealed this 2013 study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23746118 The study concluded "deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) have different complication profiles, but comparable hospital stays and survival rates. In areas of deceased donor organ shortages, LDLT offers an excellent alternative to DDLT because it facilitates access to a liver transplant without compromising short- or medium-term recipient outcomes."

@mlmcg congratulations on your new kidney turning 10. It sounds like you are doing a good job keeping it happy in a happy new home! I think one of the reasons folks are looking for living donors (me at least) is because the UNOS waiting list is so long and is getting bigger/longer every day. There is some research that shows that a living donor transplant is more successful and lasts longer than a deceased donor transplant and there are some practical timing/scheduling issues that can be dealt with if the transplant comes from a living donor. Having a living donor also helps shorten the UNOS waiting list for others. As a person of faith I believe the transplant will occur at the right time and from the right source. I am nearly 13 years post pancreas transplant (deceased donor) and am busy trying to keep it happy in a happy body. I’m also trying to stay as healthy as possible while waiting for a kidney transplant. I just returned from annual pretransplant evaluation at Mayo and my listing has been changed to inactive because my kidney function has improved and I’m too healthy for transplant at this time!

@cehunt57 Fair enough...Blessing to you and your future donor. 🙂

Thanks for the "study" Colleen, now if they would do one for kidneys. Anyone who needs a transplant is for a different reason than anyone else. Which I'm sure makes it fun for the doctors.

When I was on dialysis almost everyone else was there because they did NOT take care of their bodies. No one told me why I was put on the list for a transplant when I was creeping up on 60, when most people are taking off. I had beaten the odds with stage 4 lymphoma in 1975, and I had stayed off dialysis for 3 years after I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure in 1999, just by changing my diet. After my transplant I have had ostomy surgery with about a third of my GI track removed as well, 2 strokes while I was in the hospital, and when I was discharged the doctors did not know if I needed Hospice or Palliative Care. I received 2 months of rehab came home to take care of myself. I do not drive, I have a list of friends who drive me to appointments, no questions asked. I am even driven to stores to do some shopping and my drivers may buy more than I do. Oh, I live by myself, cook my own meals (microwave), and try to do for others as much as I can.

I am sure that the reason I received the kidney when I did was that the doctors knew I would take care of it. My brother had a live donor, he gained weight looked 8 months pregnant - he liked his ice cream and cookies every night - did not have any medical check ups - when he died his PSA was over 200 - he did not exercise, was younger than me, and should have outlived me. He died over 18 months ago. Each day I am able to do more and I will not let the strokes get me down.

All I'm saying is that if you do not take care of your body before the transplant the chances are good you will not after the transplant.

mlmcg

Here is a 5 minute video that will help you understand the importance of having a living donor to undergo kidney removal surgery which helps certain PKD patients. The risks of undergoing this groundbreaking method and the importance of a living donor are explained. Watching this video can empower you with the information needed to explain it to someone who might be suffering like I was.

@jolinda I would like to thank you for being the 1st of Dr. Prieto's revolutionary procedure. I am so very proud to say that like yourself, the man that I refer to as my saint, Dr. Prieto performed the same procedure on me on 12-13-17. I believe that I was close to #100. Also, my twins each weighed 22 lbs total as well. Understanding that these procedure isn't for everyone, It still hurts to hear about others who have to have 2 possibly 3 surgeries total with transplant and 1or 2 nephrectomies. I just couldn't imagine. I'll never forget the day that I met with Dr. Prieto and I told them I wanted my kidneys out with transplant. He looked me right in the eye and said, " You will have both of them out with the transplant. 1 and done." I just looked at him in amazement and he got that grin of his, on his face. Priceless. My wife was match tested a month later and we were informed that she could give me a kidney a week after. A few months later my life changed forever. I get choked up with emotion just thinking, let alone talking/typing about Dr. Prieto. He had such an impact on my life not to mention that he is such a friendly and good down to earth person. Thanks again Jolinda!

@grady1

I am thrilled for both you and your wife, what an incredible couple you must be!

I agree it is a lifechanging procedure and required great skill and bravery for Dr. Prieto to attempt. We are blessed to have benefitted from this groundbreaking surgery. I too know PKD patients who have been cut from top to bottom, had to live with no kidneys at all while they healed or endured multiple surgeries (some over the span of years) in an attempt to achieve results like ours with the "one and done". I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Prieto, he is a shining example of the spirit of compassionate innovation which thrives in the talented men and women of the Mayo Clinic.

Congratulations to you and your wife and welcome to the next chapter in your journey together.

All my best, Jolinda