Kidney Transplant Recipient

[Beachvibe]

Hi my name is Rachel I had a kidney transplant in December 2019

[Hidden]

Wow, Rachel! That’s wonderful! How is everything going? My husband just got onto the kidney transplant list, and we have some idea of what to expect, but would love to hear more about your experience. He lost both kidneys to cancer and has been on dialysis for two and a half years. We do it at home, and I place his needles. He’s very much hoping for a kidney.

[miraclelady]

That is great news! God bless you! I received my kidney/pancreas transplant 26 years ago! What a blessing from God! Just take your anti-rejection meds daily as you are supposed do; do what your transplant team tells you and enjoy your life!!! I worked every day and truly enjoy each day!!!

[Hawaiilover in reply to miraclelady]

I love hearing stories like this it helps me feel less anxious about the future. My GFR is at 19 and my doctor tells me I will eventually have to have a transplant or dialysis but we have not yet started the process. I'm trying hard to maintain my levels as I'm afraid of the next steps. Glad to know life can go on after transplant &/or dialysis. Take care.❤

[miraclelady in reply to Hawaiilover]

Best wishes to you!!!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Congratulations on your transplant!!!As the saying goes...'THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER!" Your future is up to you...

I had my transplant from a deceased donor in 1999. Yes, that was 21+ years ago.

Because of my donor I was able to see my daughters marry, I have grandsons that I can spoil, I had a career in gerontology, my husband and I travel and I try to live my life to the fullest. I am an active volunteer and speaker with the Wyoming Donor Alliance, an Ambassador and a Peer Mentor with the NKF. It's my way to try to give back.

The first year post transplant can be a little rough. Your body is getting over major surgery and you are trying to get used to taking your immunosuppressants and there side effects.

If you have any questions or problems, we are here. We are not medical experts but answer from our own experiences.

My one word of advice...if you have any problem or issue, make sure you tell your transplant team . You need to speak up for yourself and be your own advocate,

I know I had my dose of meds changed several times. I also developed an incisional hernia in my transplant scar and needed to have it repaired.

Take care and enjoy your "Gift of Life."

Keep us posted how you are doing!

[mariamanos]

Hello, my kidney transplant was 30 years ago and now it is starting to fail. Gfr is 15. I've got a tough year ahead of me. I've hidden my feelings from everyone but deep down I'm so scared.

[miraclelady in reply to mariamanos]

Will you go on dialysis now? If so, home dialysis -- peritoneal or hemodialysis? The reason I ask is because my transplanted kidney is not functioning as it was a year or so ago. The doctors say dialysis is in my future. I, too, have lots of questions. I have been so blessed to have 26 wonderful years with my transplanted kidney. My prayer is that it keeps going and going!!! What is your creatinine level?

[mariamanos in reply to miraclelady]

My creatinine level is 307.

[miraclelady in reply to mariamanos]

I hope it will be a while before you have to make any decisions!

[mariamanos in reply to miraclelady]

How much is your creatinine

[miraclelady in reply to mariamanos]

2.8 at last check. I have lab work and Nephrology visit coming up in a few weeks.