This past year has brought many adventures my way.... most of which were not part of the big plan that I had for myself but they are part of the plan now.
The biggies include... the catheter... the fistula... dialysis as a whole... removal of the catheter (thank goodness)... several bleeding episodes... passing out in dialysis and of course that time I farted under the covers and it was so bad that even I had to evacuate the room. (heh heh... I love a good fart joke).
But on a more serious note... several folks stepped up and volunteered to donate a kidney on my behalf. Unfortunately every one of them has either been knocked off the list or for some reason has stopped contacting MGH to continue the process. So now I'm at ground zero.
It's time for me to reach out again and ask all of you who think you could spare a kidney to contact MGH and let them know you're interested in being a potential donor. I would be so grateful for the chance to pee like a real man again. (I kid.. I still pee... my pee just doesn't have the toxins in it that yours does because my kidneys don't remove said toxins... hence the reason I'm on dialysis).
I do make light of this situation but in all seriousness... I need a kidney... I need your kidney... yes you... so if you meet the qualifications then get on the horn and call MGH.
Here is some small print by way of my coordinator at MGH (its actually normal sized print so don't get confused... I'm just calling it small print because that sounds cool)
We did receive a call from 3 other people in the Fall but at this time we are still waiting for these people to send us records or to call us back. So at this time I am sorry to have to share there are no other potential living donors being actively evaluated for you. I think it would be appropriate at this time to send out another blast email to friends/ relatives etc. If you have not shared with all that you are now listed you could include this information. You have been listed since July 2013 and are ready for your kidney transplant anytime.
Also if you want to be more specific for what would be a good donor candidate for you include in your email that they need to be of a healthy weight, have medical insurance ( even though your insurance will cover the donor expenses) and not have kidney disease such as diabetes. When they call they will be asked to provide us with a copy of their medical records from a recent (within the year) routine physical. So they may need to see their PCP as well.
The number they can call is 617-726-6631 or toll free 1877-644-2860 to begin the donor evaluation process.
I have attached a flyer with more information that you can share with others as needed about being a living donor.
Answering
your questions about Living Kidney Donation at
Massachusetts
General Hospital
When
someone you know is in need of a kidney transplant, you have the
unique opportunity to consider being a living organ donor. Thank you
for taking the time to consider such an incredible act of generosity.
This handout is meant to answer a few of the most common questions
you may have at this time. For more information or to start your
donor evaluation please contact us at anytime.
How to contact
us:
617-726-6631 or
1-877- 644-2860
Who can donate?
Live kidney
donation is an opportunity for anyone in good health over the age of
18. Family members as well as friends, co-workers, and neighbors are
examples of potential donors.
Living kidney
donors:
- Have excellent general health
- Do not have Diabetes or Kidney Disease
- Have their own Health Insurance
- Are non- smokers for 3 months pre- donation
- Are of a healthy weight
How
long will I be in the hospital and how long will it take to recover?
Most
living kidney donors are in the hospital 2-3 days. You will need to
plan for 4-6 weeks after hospital discharge to recover from surgery.
For part of this time you will not be able to drive or work.
How
do they take out the kidney?
The
majority of the time the kidney is removed by laparoscopy surgery.
This is a minimally invasive procedure with small incisions in your
abdomen (one of which is in your belly button).
What
if my blood does not “Match” the recipient’s blood - can I
still be a donor?
Yes,
even if you are not a blood match you can still help others through
donation. We could offer you an opportunity to be part of a paired
exchange program (swap). This is when you would donate your kidney to
someone else so that your friend or family member could receive a
transplant from another person who matches best. Additionally, some
recipients could undergo special therapy to overcome the blood
mismatch so that you could still donate a kidney to them.
What
is the long term impact of donation on my health and lifestyle?
If you
qualify to be a donor that means the doctors and nurses of the MGH
Transplant Team have determined that it is safe and healthy for you
to donate one of your kidneys. There are no long term restrictions
on your activities or lifestyle after kidney donation.
What
are some risks and complications?
Donation
of a kidney is overall safe but the common risks that can occur with
any surgery are possible in living kidney donation. There is also
the rare possibility that the donated kidney will not work in the
recipient or in some cases the recipient’s kidney disease may come
back. All of the potential risks and complications will be discussed
in detail with you as part of your donor evaluation.
What
are the financial factors to consider in being a donor?
All of
the general costs associated with the evaluation, surgery and
hospital stay is covered by the recipient’s insurance. The
recipients insurance does not cover transportation, lodging or lost
wages. There are programs that can help with lodging and/or
transportation.
What
if I change my mind?
At
anytime in the process if you decide you no longer want to proceed
with kidney donation that is your right. Please know that your
decision will be fully respected and supported by the entire
transplant team.
To contact us at
anytime: 617-726-6631
or 1-877- 644-2860
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