Had my third kidney transplant

[Calebzztop]

Hello everyone Happy Holidays! 2 weeks ago I received the phone call that they had a kidney for me ..this was very unexpected because I had been told throughout the whole pre transplant process that I would have a living donor through the paired exchange program. My husband would donate to someone else in need and I would in turn get a kidney that matched from another donor. I still had multiple pre transplant testing to do..Im still in shock really..but the kidney is functioning well so far and I am just doing a lot of adjusting the immunosuppressive meds...Doctors keep going higher on doses and especially with the electrolytes like magnesium calcium etc..had two blood transfusions after transplant and immediate pneumonia but pneumonia is over ,antibiotics finished...hematocrit is still slightly low at 21.

This is my first cadaver kidney and I am having some difficulty with it. I can't not think of the family who is suffering and grieving..I can write a letter to them now but I want to be ready ,to say what is in my heart.

I am so grateful and I am also very scared as the first month or two after transplant you are so vulnerable to rejection ,infections and viruses.

Transplant has saved my life 3x now and allowed me a greater quality of life. I gave birth to my daughter with my first transplant. My second gave me the years to see my children marry and have children of their own and for me to find the love of my life. I pray my third will give me many more happy days with them all and I can also achieve my dreams of running a marathon,traveling the world,climbing mountains.

God bless everyone in this group and keep strong!

[Eyak1971]

Sounds like you have been through a lot but you have had good friends and family to support you. I am sure this same support group Will be there again. I had a cadaver kidney and it took a while for it to wake up but it did and I noticed the difference right away. Over time medications were reduced and side effects lessened which you probably experienced before. I am happy that you have been given these gifts of life for a purpose. So in your letter try to define that purpose. When you are ready the words will come to you. Take care.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I had a deceased donor some 22 years ago. He was a 16 year old boy that was killed in a tragic auto accident. I would encourage you to write to your donor family. I have writing to mine for almost all of the past 22 years. We met this last summer - what an emotional experience it was. I have always wanted to thank them. Their son's gift to me has enabled me to see my daughters marry, have grandsons, have an 18 year old career helping seniors, and travel.The picture is of Jeff, me and Ann - my donor's parents

Donor family and me

[ashok5085]

Hi, I am eager to know about where is the third kidney transplanted and do you feel odd with 3 transplanted kidneys? How long your first and second transplants lasted?

[Telly444 in reply to ashok5085]

I want to know all this as well

[Calebzztop in reply to ashok5085]

Ashok5085 ,I had only my second transplanted kidney and it was in my left lower abdomen . My two native kidneys were removed shortly after I had my first transplant...within the first year one was necrotic causing me high fevers and then the same eventually happened to my other native. The first kidney transplant was placed on the Right side and was removed when it failed at some point. Forgive me,I cannot remember why. I just know on dialysis I had zero kidneys for about 6 out of 9 years......This 3rd transplant was placed lower middle pelvic area. I had an emergency c-section scar that went exactly from my bellybutton to my public bone and they cut right over that scar and placed the kidney under......my 2 other transplants were LIVE donor kidneys. This was a cadaver.Unfortunately,I have been back admitted twice since the surgery with rise in creatinine,severe lowering of egfr ,some high blood pressure that slowly built up,a pocket of fluid just above the kidney, and now recently sepsis of the blood ,e coli,and kidney function #s worse than before transplant . My transplant hospital is overburdened with covid patients, as is most ER's in the state. So I will be admitted,treated by my team at MGH Brigham then sent home as soon as some improvement is seen because should I contract covid(I am fully vaccinated with the first booster and second to get beginning of February) they don't believe i would make it considering the fact I have ZERO dialysis access...leaving me stuck without choices. I am very grateful for my gift and want it to work for my donor and their family and for mine but feel terrible that I can't help but think how many years have some people been waiting on dialysis for the call??.... I know I waited 9 years before.Why me? I know I'm an almost impossible match so maybe could not find another who matched.......should I have waited for a paired exchange?...my husband was completely approved and I just had a few pre transplant appts to do so they could list us together...1 month and 1 week it would have been done...my Dr said he did not believe it would be more than a year but less...more like 8 months....maybe maybe even less. SO SORRY I GAVE WAY MORE INFORMATION THAN ASKED FOR!! I FELT I HAD TO EXPLAIN THE STATUS OF MY CURRENT TRANSPLANT AS IT IS TOO. SO I HAVE THE 2 TRANSPLANTED KIDNEYS AS OF NOW AND I DID NOT FEEL ODD ABOUT IT AT ALL NOR IF IT WERE 3!

Telly444 Hello🙂This message is in response to yours as well!!

I truly wish you both the best of everything ❤ Stay safe and protected. May God bless you and watch over you day and night 🙏

Lisa🙂

[LisaSnow in reply to Calebzztop]

You are brave and you will overcome the current challenges. But please triple mask everywhere you go. Did you know most patients don't have their first or second transplants removed? I wonder maybe your medical condition is the reason they decided to take it out?Stay strong and hopeful. I hope you go home very soon!!

[PurpleKatisha]

God bless you! You've been through a lot and it sounds like you have the right attitude and your heart is in a good place.