A Visit Downtown - More Education

Another visit today to the Transplant hospital.  Had a Doppler Ultrasound to be done, which came back normal.  This test is done to provide the surgeons assurance that the iliac arteries and strond, unclogged and free of disease.  This artery is what the new kidney will be attached to in the abdomen of the receipient. 

We then met the Transplant Nephrologist, he filled us in on the risks involed, what the best is for Ken.  He said Ken is overall a helathy guy (except for the kidney failure), and that a transplant would be his best option at the moment since he is so healthy.  He also said that if he is to start dialysis and cannot get a living donor to come forward the chances are of getting a deceased donor are very low because of his blood type.  He informed us that there are many more things they can do to the receipient when a living donor is invovled as there is time to do it, whereas a deceased donor there is only a 24 hour lifspan on the kidney to transplant it.  He also explained that Ken would most likely wait well over 10 years for a deceased donor kidney, which at that time his health may be to poor to have the transplant.

Because the process of our donor is taking so long, Ken will have to start tests over again, normally by now the transplant has already ocurred (or a date has been set for surgery).

We definitly need him to get a transplant soon!  As always, Hoping, Praying & keeping Faith!