Anyone ever been down the kidney transplant road?

My wife is almost through all the pre check stuff to donate a kidney to her sister. Lupas destroyed her sister's kidneys, she's on daily dialysis at 48.

We go tomorrow for the final all day Dr visit/labs/scans to get the green light.

All the research we've done sounds like you can live normal with one kidney and the recovery isn't too bad.

Pretty wild that they will take it out here in Michigan and express it over to Wisconsin to install.

I am goin on 21 years with only one. I run a little vodka through it once in a while to keep it clean. It takes a bit to get your feet back on the ground but soon you will never know. The only down side is every doctor for what ever reason treats you different...demanding more tests etc. Very brave...good luck. Gary

I've talked to several people now who were only born with one or for whatever reason had are down one and they said they haven't missed a beat.

I lost a kidney 6 years ago to cancer. I dont have any problems and everything is great. Surgery was a breeze and after about 3 days felt great. I sure wish your family the best.

Giving an organ to a loved one is an extreme sacrifice. Not sure I could do it. I sincerely respect your wife and hope all goes well for both. You're putting a tear in my eye.....

A friend's wife donated a kidney to his brother, her brother-in-law, years ago. She is doing fine and so is the recipient.

my old neighbor got a kidney from his mother , he is about 48 now he was about 28 when he got the kidney
both of them live normal lives as best I can tell.

I have a friend who has had a kidney transplant, and he seems to get along just fine.

At four years old, my little brother had a cancerous kidney tumor and his left kidney removed. He just turned 60 the other day and has gotten along great.

I suspect your wife will do fine as well. God bless her for making such a selfless, loving donation to her sister. Both will be in our prayers!

Wifes cousin had bad kidneys since birth, they finally got her on the list and she received one about , oh, 8 years ago....she's doing fine, her brother wasn't interested in donating one of his....best wishes for her.

I don't know anyone that has been involved with that type thing, Erik, but good luck to your Bride and her sister!

I know of 2 liver transplant patients my step mom and friends young son. Wife's mom just found out she only has 1 kidney and is in her 60 lived her entire life without knowing it. I dont know anyone thats had a kidney transplant.

I know I would be nervous look in ng for info in your situation. Seems like it would be easier to do the procedures in the same location insted of shipping the kidney.

Didn't know I had one kidney till 35. Going strong at 63. Doctor said I didn't need to quit beer as liver being more of concern for people

I lost a kidney to cancer about 8 years ago. Been fine. Wife has a friend with a transplant. She seems to be doing well also.

My last two cents. Your wife will be giving a kidney under healthy and controlled situations. Not because of disease...recovery will be easy. Take Care...Gary

Its time like this that we need to give credit to the talented doctors who can actually perform these operations. They have a long list of checks and balances to find a perfect match.

My sister is in need of a kidney? we are still hopeful that a donor will soon show up.
I?m not a suitable candidate.

Don't know about kidney transplants. My brother have a kidney removed for cancer, he's been doing well for the last 12 or so years on one.

Lost a Kidney due to cancer at 42. 65 an still going . Doc told me at the time a person can live a full life with 50% of a kidney working. Good Luck an positive attitudes go along way in recovery

There are no transplant centers in MT so everything is out of state on the patients dime, insurance only covers certain aspects, the rest is on the patient. A transplant is a treatment not a cure. Some last many years but others not. They really push them though, I have a friiend who's tranplanted kidney lasted 25 years, it's failing now and he has to go on dialysis. Because I was unable to do all the out of state which is not only the transplant and month of having to stay there, there is all the testing that comes first so I have been on dialysis instead . Most people I have heard of through the dialysis center have done pretty good. There are some things going to be different but it's is closer to normal life. Good wishes and prayers for your wife

6.5 hrs at the transplant center/hospital today.

2 hrs from the house, so a long day.

All the consults went good. Waiting on results of final blood work, stress test and CT scan.

Pretty intense round of sit downs with docs, surgeons, nephrologists, psychiatrists, dietitians, nurses, etc. Quite a team they have.

Wife is whooped. We got home, i mowed and she went to bed.