Grey Transplant

[Grey]

Hi all, the countdown has started. We (Yvonne my wife) and I were in the paired exchange list for transplant. I am O group and she is A. It appears that an exceptionally generous altruistic donor walked into a clinic somewhere in the UK and offered a kidney. That was allocated to me and it turns out it is a 4 out of 6 match. Notwithstanding my many cases of BCC and SCC skin cancer recently and a healing but still open wound on my shin where a big SCC was removed they are aiming at a date in March. My heavens now it is close and I am excited but at the same time cautious and need I say a little concerned about the continued healing of my leg wound and any affect the imuno drugs may have on more cancer and the healing.

Anyway I am forever grateful to my dear wife and off course the anonymous donor.

[Tibbs]

Wow - that's great news.

I hope everything will keep moving along well.

If the donation is an altruistic one will your wife still donate to someone?

[SKM23435]

All good news.

Can I ask is Yvonne donating as part of the paired exchange or is this separate to this scheme?

I personally feel that altruistic donation needs more widespread publicity.

Hope all goes well.
Let us know how you get on.

Sue

[Grey]

Hi all. yes we were on the paired exchange list as well as the normal list. In this case someone walked into a clinic and offered a kidney, which matches 4 out of 6 with me. In order to get the transplant my exchange donor (Yvonne) must still donate and they took bloods for an identified cross match today so we will know soon. Very exciting but also very concerned about the cancer story. Anyway here goes ! Advantage is that both in Yvonne's case and mine they are in essence live donations which we all know is as good as it gets.

[AmandaClare]

Great stuff Grey. Glad things are finally moving for you. Keep us posted.

[Dotty]

Hi Grey,

That is wonderful news, I'm so very pleased for you.
Good luck

Dotty xx

[jbell]

Hi Grey

I am very happy for you and I hope all goes well for you, take care....Jan x

[AmberH]

Everything crossed for you!

[Dixie1]

All sounding really hopeful Grey. Fingers crossed for you.

[sporti]

Hi Grey

Brilliant news! We are in a similar situation and I have the same reservations as yourself. I was told in no uncertain terms that if they, ie transplant unit, had any doubts they wouldn't be doing it! Hope this helps. They're also going to do something different with my immunosuppressant drugs. No idea what

[jooles]

Hi Grey
So pleased to read this post from you!
I had a transplant last week and in the bed opposite me was an altruistic donor - a remarkable woman who literally walked in off the street and offered her kidney to someone. there was also someone who had gone through paired exchange too.

It was the second time I had the Call - the first time was in Dec 2013 but after 18 hours of waiting and just ten minutes before theatre, they announced that they had found cancerous cells on the donor kidney. Things looked to be going the same way this time too. It was a deceased cardiac, so I was warned that it could take quite a while to wake up. The they said that there were potential issues with blockages / clots in tubes so the surgeon wanted to take time to fully flush it and inspect it. I was prepared to come home again. Next minute it was all systems go.

I was discharged after exactly a week and have been home now for three days. My creatinine has fallen from 620 before TX to 234 - I think the last time I was that low must have been a decade ago. I'm trying not to worry - but I have a cold now and I know this is the beginning of a new and different journey but I am so very grateful....

I do hope all goes well with the paired exchange and look forward to hearing all about it.

Jooles

[SKM23435]

Jooles,

Congratulations on your good news. I hope all goes well.
You and Grey have always been about 9 months ahead of me in this journey so I have followed your paths with interest.

Best wishes

Sue

[jooles]

Thanks Sue. Your turn soon then!
Jooles

[SKM23435]

Grey,

Have you a new date for the op yet?

Sue

[Grey]

Nope...still waiting . A little worried because another SCC cancer has appeared on my leg, just below the crater where they removed the last. Hoping this dooes not scupper the op!