New to transplant process

[elifortcoop1]

Hi! Newbie here. I'm new to the kidney transplant process. I was recently turned down by my first transplant center--they felt my severe pulmonary impairment would cause complications during surgery and long-term. So, I'm just kind of back to the drawing board, looking for other transplant centers to send records to. I knew the process would be long and tough, I just wasn't ready for it to be this tough, and, at times, soul-crushing.

[Donaldson0007]

That is tough. Having any co-morbidity at all can be a huge obstacle. I had donors turned down as well due to pulmonary function, hypertension, weight etc. Wishing you the best in your search for a donor and center that will take care of you!

[marcyc NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

So sorry. I am a living donor to my husband. He was a smoker and had to quit about a year prior to being considered, still had to pass the pulmonary function test and 6 minute walk. His doctor put him in cardiac rehab prior which helped his endurance, heart and lungs. He was accepted for living donor only. Definitely check other centers but ask your primary doctor if there are programs in your area that might help, pulmonary rehab programs exist. Prayers are with you!

[elifortcoop1 in reply to marcyc]

Thank you for the idea of pulmonary rehab, I'd never heard of that. It's on my list to ask my doc about!

[RichP48 NKF Ambassador NKF Peer Mentor]

Tough blow.

Sorry that you didn't get better news.

Perhaps they felt that getting a transplant would be worse for you than not getting a transplant.

Peace and Blessings!

[Bert64]

It depends where you are located, mayo is one of the top in the country they do tough cases

[elifortcoop1 in reply to Bert64]

Great minds... someone else mentioned Mayo as well and they've since been added to my list!

[Dixidude39]

I'm CKD 4 with an eGFR of 29 after a ureter and kidney were surgically removed due to cancer. Is a blood relative (like a child) an "automatic" match? Assume both donor and recipient are in good health.

[kidneystories in reply to Dixidude39]

Many times yes. Sometimes no. You'll need to test to find out.

[marcyc NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador in reply to Dixidude39]

The donor and recipient have to have a compatible blood type and the recipient not have antibodies against the donor. A lot of testing required to determine if the potential donor is healthy enough and a good match. Best of luck. I donated a kidney to my husband. His brother 10 years younger than us and very fit was rejected because his blood pressure was high. Have to have all the tests to know.

[kidneystories]

Hi Newbie! I went through a little bit of this myself. You will experience some rejection and even if accepted, a hold or 2 along the way. Your instinct is right. Apply to multiple centers and please make sure their regions don't overlap. If you keep trying, it is very likely you 'll get listed. Co-morbidities are difficult, but not impossible to overcome. Please keep us posted on your progress.

[LMiller]

Where did you apply?

[LMiller]

I've read that siblings are the

Best match, sometimes with a 5-5 antigen match. My daughters donor was a 1-1 antigen match. With the strength of the medications, my daughter hasn't had any problems with rejection and we are post transplant 4 years.

[Thankujacob NKF Ambassador]

When my mother was very ill. UCLA was the only hospital that would take her. They will consider tough cases.

[nephrontom]

NEVER GIVE UP! THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY. BE A PAIN IN THE ASS..... LOOK FOR A LIVING DONOR SO THEY CAN'T GIVE YOU THE LINE THAT THEY'RE "WASTING" A KIDNEY ON A LONG SHOT HORSE. KEEP ON KEEPING ON! TOM