My UCLA kidney evaluation coming up...

[Alone_]

So, I am not in California and 2 years ago traveled to UCLA however due to my fast GFR slipping my (21) before I left. When I got there my gfr went to 22 and my case was closed due to no 20 gfr on file yet.

Now I have a gfr of 20, cleared to go for a re-evaulation. I know first 1/2 day is a lecture about what to expect ect.

Now might be a good time to say I am 48 (mother died of PKD) I dont have PKD. My husband is 56 and is a gym rat. Perfect blood work. He wants to be a donor for me. He is A+, I am AB- that's as far as we know about compatibility cause UCLA closed my case too early.

I have several questions, what do I expect the 2nd 1/2 of the day. Is there a weight expectation or they close my case again.

My concierge doctor asked me, because I can (might) be able to get the living transplant, should I? It seems his attitude is to wait. It's not his life. My husband (donor) and my choice is to do the living transplant and in 5, 7, 10 years or less the 3d kidney (working on at NC) or the bionic kidney (working on at UCSF and Vanderbilt) would be ready.

What should I expect at the assessment appointment? Is there a weight class that they say "you cant weigh more than".

Also (sorry for going on) has anyone done lymphatic drainage massage(s)?

Thank you

[Alone_]

I guess I am alone. Noone responds or helps even here where i thought there would be advice. 😭😭😭

[DexterLab]

Not alone! Let me walk thru as much of this as I can.

The transplant center can tell you if they can deal with the RH mismatch. You could also go through the paired kidney exchange to find a better match for you

Each center has its own standards, but I can tell you what I went through at mine.

1. Doctors always want us thinner, it helps in the recovery. They take BMI up to 40 at my center.

2. Got a chest x-ray, lots of blood drawn, and height, weight, BP. Included a drug test.

3. Check into your insurance. Medicare is not enough, especially for long-term immunosuppressants.

4. Check with a social worker to make sure you have the support environment for getting you to doctor appointments, staying on meds, etc. Sounds like your husband has that well covered.

5. A quick poke and prod from a doctor, and chance to ask them questions.

6. You may get other tests assigned, like cardio and a cat scan.

They want to make sure you are healthy enough for the surgery and for being on immunosuppressants. They also want to be sure there are no other serious health issues. If you are on the donor list, then this is also a pre-op so they can do surgery with confidence.

Starting with my nephrologist, everybody is touting the living donor route.

1. You get the transplant sooner, so you are healthier. The idea is to have the transplant before you need dialysis.

2. The new kidney gets to work sooner.

3. The transplant lasts longer than with a cadaver kidney.

4. There is generally a lesser need for the immunosuppressants.

5. The transplant is scheduled, so you can plan around it better.

I have a donor volunteer going through his evaluation now. It would be the best Christmas gift ever. Good luck. I hope this helped. Lots of hurry up and wait in this process. Patience and prayer are required.