Today was Jim's 6 month visit to his kidney doctor. As usual we are always a little apprehensive as to what his blood work will show this time. While he still feels good, his kidney function is starting to deteriorate much faster. 6 months ago he had 24% function of his kidneys and now it is down to 16% function. In his doctor's words...."it's time to get the ball rolling".
The first step is to redo all the tests he had done last August. At this time, too, he is ready to be put on the kidney donor list for a non-living donor. While it typically takes 3-5 years for a donor of this type, you can see why it is much quicker with a living donor.
Having said that...it is time for me to begin my testing as well. One of the requirements as a donor is that you can only be on 1 blood pressure medicine. Since I have been on 2 blood pressure medicines for several years, I have been attempting for the last 6 months to change my medicine. I am still working with my doctor to get this resolved.Once I start my testing, we'll be able to know better if I am truly a good candidate. As the doctor said, they will not do anything that would put me at risk.
Although Lindsay had been tested and proven to be a match, she may not be eligible as a donor. Typically they prefer the living donor to be at least 30. She may also be a carrier of PKD which would require additional genetic testing.
So as we wait for the mounds of paperwork to come in the mail to complete and numerous doctor appointments to be made, it appears that the ball is beginning to roll......
My thoughts.....While we hoped this day would never come, it is a reality now. As we get older, time seems to go by so quickly......hopefully this will too.
