The Beginning....

Jim's Journey

For those of you not aware, Jim has a hereditary genetic kidney disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). His mom and grandmother both had it and it was unfortunately passed onto him. What it is is small cysts grow on your kidneys eventually causing them to no longer function wherein you must go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant. Since Jim really doesn't want to go on dialysis, he has opted for a transplant. To find out more about PKD visit their website at www.pkdcure.org

His journey begins tomorrow when he starts his evaluation for a kidney transplant. He will be tested and evaluated as to his health condition to see if he would be a good kidney transplant recipient. A living donor is the best option so both Lindsay and I and my brother Larry has volunteered and we will be tested if we are a compatible match. If not, he will be put on the UNOS (United Network of Sharing) transplant list.

If anyone is interested in being tested as a living donor, please contact Susan Martin (his transplant nurse coordinator) at Barnes Hospital at 1-800-633-9906 (option 2). She will ask a few questions of you then send to you a packet of information to complete.

Current Condition:  Jim currently has 24% use of his kidneys and when it reaches 15% he will then have to begin dialysis.

My Thoughts: I so wish I had been more involved when Lorraine was going through this. I have so many questions I wish she could help us with.  I wish she was still here....