Kidney Transplant process

[brynat2]

Hi all! I'm writing because my husband has been referred for a transplant. He is 54 years old and is in end stage and on home dialysis since December 8th 2020. I 'm very nervous with the transplant process, we haven't been contacted yet to go for evaluation but any advice and how the process works will be greatly appreciated.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Brynat,Nothing to be nervous about. I am in the process currently. It is a list of tests and exams and then you wait. The tests for me so far have included physical, blood, chest and a EKG. I am having a stress test and other cardiac test done. There is a dental clearance and a female check up. You need to have any vaccines such as a MMR up to date. NO smoking or drug as they do a screen, and there is a weight limit. But each location is different. Even if he decides not to do it, it is well worth the workup on your health condition. But it is definitely hurry up and wait. Patience is needed.

[brynat2 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you so much for the feedback!

[brynat2 in reply to brynat2]

Do they do all of the test at the transplant center, or do you have to make appointments and go to your own doctor?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to brynat2]

Oh, I forgot, I had a three hour call the week before for admission. I had to give a detailed medical history. They reviewed the program and what happens afterwards. I had to talk to someone in financial support to review my insurance. Where I am, and with the policy I have it is all, and I do mean all, paid for. And then someone from social work to talk about support networks. I had to make some of my own appointments and others were made by the transplant people. Some the did all in one day at the hospital where they are located. Honestly, everyone is nice. It is informative and the bottom line is it is still his decision in the end. But he won't have a choice if you don't go through the evaluation.

[brynat2 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you! He plans on going through it I just hope and pray it’s a smooth process. In the back if you your mind you worry about having all the test don’t , hoping they all turn out ok. He’s fairly healthy other.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to brynat2]

The transplant center wants to make sure that he is healthy enough for a transplant. It is a major surgery and will be on immunosuppressants for the rest of his life. They also have you take antibiotics for the first 3-6 months. I also took viral and fungal antibiotics. They usually also have you talk with a social worker that explains how it works with your insurance. I attended a kidney class that explains what will happen when you get called for the transplant. How long to expect to be in the hospital, the meds he will be on, the IV's, the Foley catheter.I am 21+ years post transplant and lead a normal life. Pre-COVID my husband and I did a lot of traveling. 4 years ago we both retired and moved to WYOMING.

I only had to wait 14 months for my transplant, but that was back in 1999. I know how long he will have to wait depends on his blood type.

Take care!

[Darlenia]

Hi Brynat. I'm a caretaker to my husband, a diabetic, who managed to get on the transplant list as an older gentleman. It's great your husband's nephrologist is referring him for a possible transplant. Many centers won't consider a person for a transplant without a referral. Your husband was recently placed on dialysis so working towards this may seem overwhelming to you, particularly if your husband is given a 4 months deadline to get it all done. And it may seem truly impossible if you/he are employed outside the home. If this happens, simply take it one day at time, keep marching along. Our transplant center was careful to reassure us that, due to Covid, our 4 month deadline had bit of wiggle room in it which helped calmed us. Some tests were done at the hospital lab, others were done by his own physicians such as the colonoscopy, dental reports, and cardiac tests. Then, some were already a matter of record since my hubby is continually tested at his dialysis center for a number of things. I'd like to reassure you that should something turns up that is concerning, the process is generally suspended (not scuttled) until the matter is resolved. For example, my husband received a heart stent recently and, due to taking blood thinners for 3 months post-op, he isn't eligible for a kidney until he completes that round of medicine. I specifically questioned his cardiac specialist about this and he instantly responded that, in my husband's case, the stent won't stand in his way at all after the medicine regimen is completed. Most transplant recipients are diabetics, he reported, and most all have issues like this going on. And stressed that he will remain on the registry, not to worry. As a matter of fact, he added, the stent reassures the center that my hubby won't have a heart attack any time soon. So, the transplant centers are apparently interested in working with those who are re proactive in fixing and improving their health. They're not interested in removing or keeping people off the list unless the situation is irreversible or impossible to correct. For those on dialysis, the clock begins to run from the time your husband was placed on dialysis, not when you complete the tests. Hope this helps in charting your path forward.