Need another path to donation
Who should I talk with if I was turned d... - Kidney Transplant
Who should I talk with if I was turned down to donate a kidney but with many good, positive test results? I need info on another path.
Written by
VDallas
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5 Replies
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Sorry you're going through this. My sister went through the same thing trying to donate to me. It was huge source of stress for both of us. We appealed to various higher-ups at my transplant center, but to no avail. It seems they rejected her as my donor for mental-emotional-psych reasons rather than physical issues. (It's a very emotionally and psychologically complicated thing, donating an organ.) In the end, I believe she felt she had somehow failed me (which I assured her wasn't the case). We were ready to go to a different transplant center, but things took a different turn in the end.
As my transplant center tells it, they want to have no reason to not think that a kidney donor would thrive on only one kidney. The objective is to have two healthy people not to trade one for another. They also realize that complications with a kidney donor would discourage future donors. They are pushing for living donors more because they see how well that works. Thank you for your willingness to donate.
I’m so sorry to hear that the transplant center has declined your kidney donation offer. If you are unable to donate a Kidney due to reasons that are beyond your control, you can still be a driving force to advocate for kidney donation. Look on the website for the national kidney foundation to see what you can do to be an advocate to encourage others to become kidney donors. Who knows, your advocacy could result in more kidney donations than if you had donated your own kidney! ❤️
My daughter was my donor. I had my transplant last May21. I was warned by my Nephrologist that the hardest part was interview by the social workers (they prepare the reports) and the actual interview by the Ethics committee. My Nephrologist estimated total of 4-5 hours with the social workers and 3 hours each for me and my donor with the Ethics Committee.
We actually spent 3 hours each with the social workers (total 6 hours). We provided them with as much information as we can (and then some). We were open and made sure friendly with them. We figured they were the key to providing a good report to the ethics committee. And we were right. My daughter ended up spending 15 minutes and I spent 30 minutes. It also helped that my Nephrologist prepared a 7 page assessment report (he was told the most they have received are two page reports). He also spent 10 minutes with the Ethics Committee.
The key is preparation. My daughter and I researched everything we can.
The whys, how, options, plans, financials, risks, complications, stages of preparation, pre- surgery and post-sugery preparedness, actual surgery, recovery, rejections, journey, etc. We had answers for any possible questions. We created binders to capture all, created matrix and we reviewed an re-read. We also simulated the interviews and recorded them (to review and improve). We were over- prepared.
And when we knew we were ready ( days before the actuals), we relaxed and embraced what we have done. Knowing that whatever happens, we've done all we can.
And not surprisingly, during the interviews, we were very relax (still open). We were advised of the approval 2 hours later (normally takes 24 hours). Then we exhaled and praised God.
Take care and be well.
Dear VDallas,
I suspect the you might , very well, have some 'Underlying' Kidney Problems- that you don't know about. The simple truth is that unless, or until, Kidney Function gets bellow around Twenty Percent you show NO 'Ill effects' at all! Medical Tests, necessary if you wish to Donate, would pick this up.
The Medical Centre/ Hospital that you approached would NOT let you put your Health in Danger, even to help another. It is a Far More Dangerous Operation, for a Donor than a Recipient- as a Kidney is Physically Removed, whereas in a Recipient is 'Simple' Plumbed In to the existing Urinary System. You don't say how 'Well' you are either that could, very well, be a Reason For Refusal.
Notwithstanding ALL the above, you can ask for a 'Face To Face' Meeting with the Transplant Team- that will be 'carrying out' the Surgery. I think that this might be the best route, for you to take, VDallas. That way you can put, any and all, of your questions to t he Right People.
Finally, as a Recipient, in July 2013, can I THANK YOU< for your- very generous- offer.
AndrewT
