I’m writing this blog post to share my experience at the Loma Linda Transplant Center.
I was recently checked to see if I was a candidate for a kidney transplant. This post is to provide some information about what that process is like. The staff at the center were all very professional and welcoming. I felt confident in their abilities to help me through the process. Overall, it was a positive experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for a transplant.
The day started early for my wife and I. We had to be at the Transplant Center at 7 AM. Once checked in we had a little wait then we were called back to get my weight and blood pressure. From there we went in to meet the Dietitian. This meeting is designed to provide me with information about the best nutrition practices for transplant patients. We discussed topics such as maintaining a healthy weight, optimizing my nutrient intake, and tips for eating during and after the transplant.
Then it was off to the classroom.
The first class was with the transplant coordinator. She shared lots of information about the transplant process and wait. The risks associated with transplant surgery. I did not know that if you donate a kidney, you will go to the top of the list years later, you have kidney problems and need a transplant.
We also had a class with the financial coordinator. Loma Linda Transplant Center completely covers the donor patients’ costs. The Social Worker came in with and dropped some great information too.
My wife and I had private meetings with the Transplant Nurse, Nephrologist, and Surgeon.
The Nephrologist gave us a couple of questions to think about. 1) would I take a kidney from someone with hepatitis C. The Nephrologist said I could because it’s curable now. They would put the infected kidney in. I would have to take one pill a day for 12 weeks, and it’s gone. 2) Would I take a kidney from another 54 year old or older. Would I want only a young kidney?
There are 18,905 people in California waiting for a kidney transplant as of 11/2020.
That list has probably grown by 1000 now. The transplant nurse said your place in line started when you started dialysis. Not when you were approved for the transplant. That’s a bit of good news, but not much. The main reason why I’m selling Sean Needs A Kidney Shirts is to find a donor. I don’t want to sit around waiting for lots of people to die so I can get a kidney.
Overall like Ice Cube said, “It was a good day”.
I found out my correct blood type, it’s B+ I was told a while back that it was O+ but apparently I was given the wrong information I’m B+. Being B+ I can except a kidney from B, A2, and If you are one of these 3 come holler at your boy. LOL.