Are you:: - Kidney Transplant...
Are you:
12 VotersPlease select one:
What does this mean to you? How long has it been? Tell us about your progress.
It means a wonderful quality of life I had not experienced for over ten years before my transplant from an unknown donor. It has been 6 years 6 months and 17 days since I received my miraculous transplant on 18 December, 2005 at the Royal Free Hospital. From being in total denial about my condition and being in CKF, adamant I was not going on dialysis or having a transplant to finally accepting my condition and the help & advice from the Low Clearance Clinic and caring renal staff. My progress has gone from strenth to strenth after my transplant. I never went on dialysis because I made my mind up it was not for me. Changed my diet, my lifestyle and did what I was told in the Low Clearance Clinic.I live an active life. I do voluntary work in our local hospital twice a week, help look after my five grandchildren and am on several committes both at my church and the RFHKPA. Most importantly I take my medication regularly, keep appointments at the Royal Free, keep my little black book updated and take control of my life because it is precious.
It means uncertainty and sadness that I'm likely going to put a loved one through a major operation. The sooner they're growing kidneys on the backs of mice, or using pig's kidneys again the better.
P.S. I'm pre-dialysis on the work up for a donor kidney
with hindsight it means harvesting a loved one and reducing their lifespan so I can spend more time with them
anger, frustration and guilt