Wwyd?

[nmmom95]

I have been on the kidney transplant list for over a year. Two nights ago I got a call for a possible donor. Unfortunately, we failed the cross-match. I later found out that this kidney was from a high-risk donor. High risk, in this case, related to social behaviors, such as drug use, engaging in sex trade or male homosexuality. From what I understand, this could increase your risk of certain diseases, like hepatitis or HIV. I am not judging anyone's lifestyle and I applaud anyone who becomes a life-saving donor. If you were in my position, would you take the high risk kidney, or pass it up? FWIW, dialysis is not that much fun.

 

[bdoyledimou]

that really sucks, and i do hope you find your match soon...

But at the same time, the risks involved with possible untreatable ailments would seriously outweigh the discomfit of dialysis.
You will find a healthy match soon..

 

[npmommie]

I am pretty sure there are cdc guidelines for who can donate organs. how did you find out information about the donor?

 

[TeaToo!]

I have been on the kidney transplant list for over a year. Two nights ago I got a call for a possible donor. Unfortunately, we failed the cross-match. I later found out that this kidney was from a high-risk donor. High risk, in this case, related to social behaviors, such as drug use, engaging in sex trade or male homosexuality. From what I understand, this could increase your risk of certain diseases, like hepatitis or HIV. I am not judging anyone's lifestyle and I applaud anyone who becomes a life-saving donor. If you were in my position, would you take the high risk kidney, or pass it up? FWIW, dialysis is not that much fun.

I am not sure what I would do since I dont know enough about your current status. If I could wait, I think I would. Good luck.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Please forgive my failed education in this matter, but can they test to rule out some of your fears?

It is a very good question. Do yu take the one they have that matches or wait, knowing the wait can be for a very long time.

Is there a way to narrow it down, though? I would take one from a homosexual male in a heartbeat over that of a drug user or a sex-trde worker.

 

[nmmom95]

I am pretty sure there are cdc guidelines for who can donate organs. how did you find out information about the donor?

The transplant coordinator has to let you know if they know that the donor engaged in high-risk behaviors.

Please forgive my failed education in this matter, but can they test to rule out some of your fears?

It is a very good question. Do yu take the one they have that matches or wait, knowing the wait can be for a very long time.

Is there a way to narrow it down, though? I would take one from a homosexual male in a heartbeat over that of a drug user or a sex-trde worker.

They do test thoroughly, but with a deceased donor, there is no way to be 100% certain. The tests would take too much time. Obviously, with a living donor, there is more than adequate time to be sure.

 

[nmmom95]

I am not sure what I would do since I dont know enough about your current status. If I could wait, I think I would. Good luck.

I am doing well right now, but a have a relatively rare blood type and am sensitized to over 80%. That means that I will reject most kidneys, so matches for me will be few and far between.

 

[krcit]

Wow, I don't know what I would do in that position. OP, I'm sorry that you are still waiting for a kidney...I hope that the right match comes through very soon for you

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think maybe we should all take the time now to look and make sure our donor cards are with our IDs at this point. I am willing to be a donor and have let my husband know my wishes (Or I said I'd haunt him.)

I hope you get a kidney soon.

 

[surfergirl602]

I am doing well right now, but a have a relatively rare blood type and an sensitized to over 80%. That means that I will reject most kidneys, so matches for me will be few and far between.

In that case, then yes, I would take it.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

It would depend on how much I needed that Kidney and how long I had waited. My view is that they test for everything and even if someone was in that risk group, it wouldn't make the Kidney worthless. I guess in most cases, I would probably take it regardless and am more concerned that the coordinator was not acting professionally because my understanding is that information like that is not to be shared with a recipient. For the very reason that it puts you in a bad spot if that kidney was actually compatable.

Sending good thoughts your way that you get a new kidney soon!

 

[npmommie]

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I am doing well right now, but a have a relatively rare blood type and an sensitized to over 80%. That means that I will reject most kidneys, so matches for me will be few and far between.

That's a tough decision. Do you wait out for another possible donor, or do you take the risk of possibly ending up with AIDS?

I know dialysis is not fun. My own mom died of kidney (& heart) failure. She was on dialysis for months before she died. Are you on traditional dialysis or on the home care type?

I think maybe we should all take the time now to look and make sure our donor cards are with our IDs at this point. I am willing to be a donor and have let my husband know my wishes (Or I said I'd haunt him.)

I make sure to let people know that I'm an organ donor. It's on my ID and everyone I know knows I will donate whatever anyone could need. Heck, I figure I'll be dead, so I don't need anything anymore. If someone else could use it to live, then I'm more than happy to give it up. I want to be cremated anyway.

 

[pixiewings71]

Well I think I would go for it. I know it's hard to say because I'm not in your shoes but I really think I'd give it a try.

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, I hope you find your donor soon.

 

[dejr_8]

I have been on the kidney transplant list for over a year. Two nights ago I got a call for a possible donor. Unfortunately, we failed the cross-match. I later found out that this kidney was from a high-risk donor. High risk, in this case, related to social behaviors, such as drug use, engaging in sex trade or male homosexuality. From what I understand, this could increase your risk of certain diseases, like hepatitis or HIV. I am not judging anyone's lifestyle and I applaud anyone who becomes a life-saving donor. If you were in my position, would you take the high risk kidney, or pass it up? FWIW, dialysis is not that much fun.

I think it depends on how healthy you are staying by doing dialysis.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Kind of a double edged sword isn't it?

On the one hand you what you are facing with more dialysis. OTH you may be taking a far bigger risk with a donor who engaged in risky behavior. I don't know what I'd do actually. Its easy to say yes or no in a hypothetical, but reality is usually far different and not so easy. I suppose I'd judge everything at the time.

I hope you don't have to wait much longer for a match.

 

[Mkrop]

 

[nmmom95]

I know dialysis is not fun. My own mom died of kidney (& heart) failure. She was on dialysis for months before she died. Are you on traditional dialysis or on the home care type?

I'm so sorry to hear that. I did 6 months of traditional (hemo) dialysis. I didn't ever feel well on it. I do at home peritoneal dialysis now. It's much better.

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes. And a very big thank you to all of you who are organ donors.

 

[wdwfan16]

I have been on the kidney transplant list for over a year. Two nights ago I got a call for a possible donor. Unfortunately, we failed the cross-match. I later found out that this kidney was from a high-risk donor. High risk, in this case, related to social behaviors, such as drug use, engaging in sex trade or male homosexuality. From what I understand, this could increase your risk of certain diseases, like hepatitis or HIV. I am not judging anyone's lifestyle and I applaud anyone who becomes a life-saving donor. If you were in my position, would you take the high risk kidney, or pass it up? FWIW, dialysis is not that much fun.

I am so sorry you have to even think of this. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.


That is a tough one. I really don't know what I would do.

If you did not take the transplant and were a match how would that effect your changes of getting a different kidney?

 

[nmmom95]

If you did not take the transplant and were a match how would that effect your changes of getting a different kidney?

Turning down a kidney does not change your place on the transplant list.