My Mom Is Having a Kidney Transplant.

As a former kidney transplant social worker, I have a few ideas.

1) Contact your transplant coordinator and/or transplant social worker and ask for as much info as possible. The dialysis social worker could be another place to start. Many times they can put you in touch with another family/patient that is willing to share their transplant story.

2) Organ Transplant Support although this is primarily in the Chicagoland area. Maybe they could link you with some organization in your area? www.otsfriends.org

3) National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org

Best wishes to your mom and aunt.

My uncle gave my grandfather a kidney about 8 years ago. From what I recall, the surgery was harder on my uncle than my grandpa (maybe because grandpa was so used to being in hospitals by that point)! The surgery took most of the day and the whole family waited in the waiting room. My grandpa woke up and immediately started telling jokes :-) In other words, the surgery went great and my grandpa got 5 more years of life (enough to see me get married). Sadly he passed away 3 years ago, due to old age/other complications not related to his kidney. I miss him every day but am so grateful for the "extra" time I got with him. I wish you and your mom the best of luck, I'm sure it will go great :-)

I have actually donated a kidney to my father. This was about 6 years ago and there is a lot more information available now. Back when I had gone through the process there wasnt much information available. I will send you a private message with my email address if your family is interested in asked personal questions or want more information. I am willing to answer regarding my experience with the process. I will also include various websites I have found helpful in the years following the transplant with my father.

My dad has had 2. The only thing I remember from the first one was having to wear a mask when going to visit him (I was really little) the second one he had I was in middle school. I remember that one a lot better. We went and stayed in Boston. He was up and out of bed much sooner then my uncle (the donor) I don't have a lot of information but I wanted to let you know my family has been through it twice and both times went well and my Dads kidney is still going strong 18 years later. I'll be keeping your mom, aunt, you, and your family in my thoughts. I hope everything goes as smooth for her as it did for my dad.

Just wanted to say all the best to you... your Mom is very blessed to have a donor.

My Dad, passed away, waiting for one.
I was a match for him, but he would NOT take me as a donor.... and did not want to affect my life as a Mom.

hugs, and I hope you find some good books.

I am sure, the National Kidney Foundation, would have on their website, good recommendations?
Try their website....

all the best,
Susan

I am so glad that you asked this. I will eventually need a kidney transplant. What a great question :) I wish your mom well!

My stepdad was 82 when he received a new kidney from my 26 year old sister. He was the second oldest transplant receipient at Mayo hospital in Rochester. He takes awful care of himself now, and had to have multiple surgeries...That being said - if he can survive (he had it in January 2008) your mom will do GREAT!!! I wish you all the best.

My 21 year old sister who lives with my husband and I is having a kidney transplant this summer due to end stage renal failure. I know there is a class for people receiving the kidney, the donors, and family members. Im sure your mom's transplant coordinator could give you a time and place for one of the information classes. I know it helped with my sister.