As some of you may know, I was in Chicago last week (Thu-Sun) to get myself screened as a kidney donor. My brother's kidneys have reached a chronic condition (where they are operating at about 5 per cent of normal capacity). He is getting ready to get into dialysis.
I have been gearing for becoming a donor since summer. My brother felt that we had more time (likely till next year) to get ready. However, things have gotten worse suddenly.
I have gone through three rounds of testing (a blood test, a HLA/genetic matching, and a 24 hour urine collection test called CCT) in California. All those proved that I was a good match and was I headed to Chicago for the final round for being approved as a donor.
I have gone through three rounds of testing (a blood test, a HLA/genetic matching, and a 24 hour urine collection test called CCT) in California. All those proved that I was a good match and was I headed to Chicago for the final round for being approved as a donor.
I met with the donor transplant team which comprises
transplant nurse, nephrologist, surgeon, pharmacist, dietician, independent donor advocate/social worker, and psychologist. Luckily (for me) the psychologist was on PTO so I missed out on the chat with the shrink. I learnt a lot about the process/procedure, risks, and benefits to my brother.
If you are like me and are typically impatient with long stories, then I will save you some time. At this time, there is a hiccup on the donor screening process. I have to wait for additional information from the doctors (likely on Wed) on next steps. So for now, I am in some kind of limbo state.
On the other hand, I returned from Chicago with greater clarity and more conviction about the donation process. My brother is on a kidney recipient waiting list (from deceased donors). In Illinois, it will be another 2 to 2.5 years before he gets one. He is considering switching to Madison, Wisconsin where the wait is about 9 months to 1 year. The choice is between live donor (me) or wait for his turn on the list for a deceased donor.
My parents, and my brother have been both apprehensive and mildly opposed to my intent to donate. So information received on Friday helpful in having that conversation. As I found out, live donation had huge benefits
- Recipients with live donation had 60-80 per cent longer median life expectancy mainly attributed to
- Better screening of live donor
- Shorter time between removal of kidney from donor to recipient. In a deceased donor case, kidney is typically not functioning for over 24 hours or so
- Kidney starts working in the recipient sooner (typically the same day)
- Reduced chance of rejection in the recipient
- better screening
- Because of genetic match between my brother and I. Identical twins are the perfect match but doctors were pleased with our match (apparently, we are 4 out of 6 on some chromosomal match)
- Finally, it takes one person off the waiting list (a big deal for people who don't have this option)
From a donor standpoint there was a study that showed donors had higher life expectancy than the average population. I was banking on that 
Unfortunately, the doctor put an end to such expectations. Apparently, that study (like a lot of these medical studies) had lots of statistical problems.. Alas, no noticeable well-being benefit from donation
I returned from Chicago feeling convinced about my decision. My brother and my parents are beginning to come around this as well. Next step is deal with what the doctors come up on Wed (details of which are an interesting email in itself).
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