Living kidney donation

[netibiza]

I have a relation (same rare blood type) who needs a kidney and pancreas transplant, obviously I am thinking of it, but want to know any reasons why I may not be able to, ie age, illness ie hypertension, hidrothyroid - any ideas? Don't want to even start it if will let the donor down.

[smudge]

Hi Neti - so sorry to hear about your relative - must be a very worrying time for all concerned. (Been through enough with our daughter...).

I'm afraid I can't offer any professional advice, but found this for you to have a read through. There are other helpful sites to:

http://www.kidney.org.uk/Medical-Info/transpla nt/txlrd.html

Take care & wish you & yours well. ^8^

[mrs_overall]

Hi.
One of my sisters has recently started dialysis and is on the cadaveric transplant list.
As well as having to have the same blood group, a living donor also has to have the same tissue type. My sis is O negative which is fairly uncommon as only 8% of the population have it. Another sister with the same blood group was willing to be a living donor but her tissue type was incompatible. I understand a living donor has to be in good health. High blood pressure wouldn't necessarily rule you out as a donor but I'm not sure about your thyroid problems.
There is an upper age limit for donors and recipients but I'm not 100% sure what it is.
You obviously couldn't donate your pancreas.
The best person your relative (and you) could talk to is the transplant co-ordinator at his/her renal unit.

[netibiza]

Yes I'm rh -O . The patient lives in NZ and I live in Spain so really don't know how it'll work out. I'm frightened and don't want to do this unless really necesary.

smudge, the worst thing today was finding out that my beloved older sister has 3 cancer growths in her right breast and is having it removed next wednesday. I've offered to go over and stay with her, but she thinks she'll be better without me around ministering to her. There are others in the family who will be there for her.

[jno]

the blood flows the other way round in the southern hemisphere, neti, so your organs may not do the trick!

[netibiza]

To be honest, I would hope so!

[Schutzengel]

Sorry to hear of your family problems, but if you're scared, don't even think about it, you would need to be mentally very strong to even consider donating. You could donate a healthy kidney, but a pancreas can't be taken from a living person as they only have one and need it themselves.

[netibiza]

I'm not frightened so much of the op, but circumstances, ie I have a youngish daughter and what if she ever needed this and I then couldn't help her, on the other hand I wouldn't want someone to die just because I wouldn't help them. I barely know this middle-aged relative, but the problem is still there. Will just have to hope some other solution is found.

[smudge]

Sorry I'm late back Neti.....

I'm also very sorry to hear about your sister too. You're not having a very good time of it lately & I do feel for you all.

If the medical team find that you're not a suitable donor, for whatever reasons, or that you decide against going ahead, I do hope the transplant co-ordinators find a healthy kidney for your relative.

I have to be honest here - if it were me, I would be just as concerned that one of my daughters may need it in the future - God forbid.

So try not to beat yourself up about it Neti, your heart's in the right place & your relative would know this.

Take care. -xx-

[netibiza]

Heard from them today, and they say I live too far away, and it would have to be one op with both kidney and pancreas transplant, and yes I am so relieved!! thanks smudge ^8^

[smudge]

You're welcome Neti.

Hope it all works out with a successful transplant for your relative.

Also wishing your beloved sister a speedy recovery after her op next Wed. No matter the distance between you, she knows you're close at heart...

Will be thinking of you... ^8^