I am a Kidney Transplant survivor. - Kidney Transplant

Kidney Transplant

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I am a Kidney Transplant survivor.

swimmings profile image
29 Replies

I had a kidney transplant going on 59 years ago in Boston, Mass. What I great gift

I am married. I have three children, 10 grandchildren, and five great- grandchildren.

My life has been full all because I was able to have a kidney transplant when I was 12 years old. Before the transplant I was always sick and missed a lot of school. This changed my world and life for the better.

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swimmings profile image
swimmings
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29 Replies
anne627 profile image
anne627

Wow! I never heard of having a kidney transplant that long. I hope you have it many more years. I have mine over 24 years. What meds do you take?

swimmings profile image
swimmings in reply toanne627

I am not on any meds because of the transplant. I had my transplant in 1960 and

they felt I would do better without them. Meds weren't nearly as good as they are now.

24 years is a good long time for you as well. Keep it up.

anne627 profile image
anne627 in reply toswimmings

Do you mind me asking, did you get your transplant from a twin? It is hard to believe you never needed meds to keep your kidney from rejecting.

swimmings profile image
swimmings in reply toanne627

Yes I received my kidney from my twin sister. Because of that I didn't have to

go on any meds for the transplant.

anne627 profile image
anne627 in reply toswimmings

Thanks for the information, swimmings.

Sarraj profile image
Sarraj

💌

Hi respected sir,

I am 1 year kidney transplant

Please give some tips it will be great kindness

swimmings profile image
swimmings in reply toSarraj

I think what has helped me to keep my kidney working as long as it has

is take care of yourself. Eat properly, don't drink alcohol, drink plenty of

water throw-out the day and exercise. go for walks etc. I like to swim so

I did that as well. and get plenty of rest. Don't over do things. Keep in

touch with your medical team . I hear now that read meat isn't good for you so

I guess taking that off your food list.

Anyway, good luck with your transplant. Think positive.

Mary928 profile image
Mary928

Yore kidney lasted 59 years??

Was it from a living donor

swimmings profile image
swimmings in reply toMary928

Yes I received my kidney from my twin sister. We had the transplant when we were 12 years old. 11 in the world to have a transplant. Now the longest living. I have had my ups and downs but have enjoyed the extra years to a wonderful life that my sister gave to me.

LisaSnow profile image
LisaSnow in reply toswimmings

That is fascinating! I wonder if your transplant kidney grew as you aged as native kidney grows a lot from age 12 on.

LisaSnow profile image
LisaSnow in reply toswimmings

Did your doctors have concerns with your pregnancy? It is known that pregnancy puts a lot of burden on kidneys. Wondering if it applies to the transplant as well.

Kbressler profile image
KbresslerNKF Peer MentorNKF Ambassador

Great. I have a friend out 48 years and I am out 31 transplants are beautiful. Best of luck. God is great.

LisaSnow profile image
LisaSnow in reply toKbressler

How is your transplant functioning? What is your creatinine?

Kbressler profile image
KbresslerNKF Peer MentorNKF Ambassador in reply toLisaSnow

1.04 as of January 30

LisaSnow profile image
LisaSnow in reply toKbressler

You are very blessed! What medication doses are you on?

PotatoeBacon profile image
PotatoeBacon

Yes that is great, An I never herd of not needed meds as well. BUT WHAT WORK'S .. CONGRATS

March-31-09 profile image
March-31-09

WOW. 59 years ago!!!! That is a true blessing !!! What if any medical challenge have you had. God Bless you

guido46 profile image
guido46

That's terrific. This is very encouraging for the rest of us looking to get a transplant

Vna62400 profile image
Vna62400

Incredible story.... No medications. You have been truly blessed. I am 3 years post transplant, and so far have had a wonderful outcome with no complications. Wishing you well.

swimmings profile image
swimmings

Three years without complications is great. My kidney always hurt from time to time.

Wishing you many more years with this transplant

Kidneytx2 profile image
Kidneytx2

Congradulations! Thanks for posting your amazing story! I had my first in 1978 and I too was 12. It lasted until 2001...4 children and 2 were twins! I got another 1 in 2001 and we will reach 18 years in November. That 2nd tx was a 6/6 perfect match from a non living donor. You are blessed to not be on meds especially the prednisone! But hey i love all the life i have been freely given!💜

swimmings profile image
swimmings in reply toKidneytx2

What a wonderful story you have as well. When I was 12 there wasn't very much information on transplants. I didn't know what to expect. somewhat scared. Did you have to go on Dialysis before your second transplant? If mine fails which I am sure it will one day I am not sure if I am ready to go on dialysis.

Keep up the good work. Are you a twin? what a blessed gift.

Kidneytx2 profile image
Kidneytx2 in reply toswimmings

No i am not a twin but i carried twins..kicked the kidney too but we all survived. I never ever imagined i would go back on dialysis either but my twins were only 5 and i didnt have a choice. Dialysis was so difference from 1978 to 2001 and 2001 and it kicked my butt when the tx finally came nov 2001 everything changed for the good but to this day i do not know how i did it...you just have to because i was not going to live on dialysis for the reat of my life. I dont know how others do that and my hat is off to them!

NeedingAdonor profile image
NeedingAdonor

So basically, even a 6/6 match from a deceased donor could be just as effective and potentially have longevity of over 15 yrs?

Kidneytx2 profile image
Kidneytx2 in reply toNeedingAdonor

It has for me! But every Body is different good luck on getting your perfect kidney..dont lose hope!

Mary928 profile image
Mary928

What’s you secret

Cookej05 profile image
Cookej05

Wow 59 years that is amazing! I’m 21 years old and had my kidney transplant 10 years this year. I’ve been worrying a lot recently about how long my kidney may have left but your story has given me a big boost of confidence to keep positive and to keep looking after myself!:-)

swimmings profile image
swimmings

You were also very young when you had your transplant. If you are taking care of yourself and following doctors order You could have your kidney for a long time. I went on a Kidney walk on Sunday and heard of a girl who received a kidney from her father 50 years ago. Eating right and exercise along with drinking plenty of water helps. Even though I have had a long transplant my kidney does hurt from time to time. What was your latest GFR results? Congratulations. Keep up the good health.

Cookej05 profile image
Cookej05

I’m not 100% sure as I only recently went for my check up but since my transplant my results have always been good and I’m usually only ever in hospital with viral infections which often cause me to be sick which means I struggle to keep fluid down which leads to my kidney being dehydrated but kidney function usually goes back to normal:-)

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