Brother, Can You Spare a ...?

If a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step, then I took the first step today in my journey toward a new kidney. Ken and I met this morning — all morning — with the people who will be my transplant team. I was interviewed and examined by a nurse, social worker, transplant surgeon, transplant nephrologist and his resident intern.

I answered dozens of questions — a few of them multiple times — about my health history and my family history, my current health habits and medications. The work-up included a TB skin test, pneumonia vaccine and 10 tubes of blood drawn for various purposes, such as viral tests and initial tissue typing. I was STRONGLY advised to start exercising regularly again. And I’ll have to get a colonoscopy in the next few weeks … but that was the easy part.

The doctors all seem to feel that I’m a great candidate for a second transplant, so getting on the list is all but done. I’ll know for sure after the team confers next Thursday. But my concern — the test of my faith and the object of my prayer — is that the wait for a cadaver kidney in Michigan is 3-5 years. My surgeon and transplant nephrologist feel strongly that I should try to find a living donor — related or unrelated, it doesn’t matter.

So how in the world do you ask someone — a cousin you hardly ever see or a friend — if they would consider being tested as a match to donate you a kidney? I have no living siblings; Amy would be a possibility, but not until she’s 18. And the thought of her doing that — well, it’s as painful for me to think about as it would be for her.

So, how do you tell someone that the success rate for a living donor is so great, it would literally add years to my life? “Hi! Say, if you want me to be around for another 25 years, as opposed to only another 10 years, could you spare me one of your kidneys?” By the way, people get along quite well, with no ill effects, on one kidney. And the surgery for donors now is laparoscopic, so the hospitalization and recovery time is much shorter than it used to be.

Will you pray with me about this?

Comments

[Bryan]

I absolutely commit to praying with you for this, and that the Lord will provide soon and very soon.

[Brian B]

You have my prayers.

[Rob]

For some weeks the leadership at our church have been praying for the grandfather of a member. He has needed a kidney transplant. Monday he got it. Tonight our prayers were offers of praise and thanksgiving.

And I remembered you.

God bless.

[alicia]

I went through the initial testing to be a living donor 23 years ago - my sister turned out to be a better match, though.
I'm O pos so I don't think I could be a match, but if I could I'd be there.
remembering you in prayers, and hoping that God can work a miracle for you.

[Lee Anne Millinger]

Actually, Alicia, according to the donor materials I have from the Transplant Center, the Rh factor doesn't matter. I can receive from a Type O donor or Type A2, either positive or negative Rh. They test to match 6 antigens or genetic traits in the tissue typing, and the more antigens that match, the better the transplant will take. And donors need to be in good physical health themselves, no heart problems or high blood pressure, etc. so that they can handle the surgery with no problem. They would never want to put a donor at risk with the surgery.