Post Kidney Donation (a total success)

Its been a while since I posted. The kidney transplant was a total success. It is now just over 6 weeks since surgery, and my friend Ken is doing phenomenally well, and has even returned to work. His new kidney was working immediately post op, and he walked to my room the day after surgery to visit me. Everyone said he instantly looked 15 years younger! Ken and His wife Dana and I share a special bond now that's hard to describe. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to do this, and that the transplant team at UCSF was so highly skilled and that this was an option.

Unfortunately I did run into some complications not long after surgery where my remaining kidney began failing. After an additional 11 days at UCSf, tests, and finally returning to surgery for a biopsy of my remaining kidney they discovered that a a drug they give routinely immediately post-op from the nephrectomy, Toradol (to help with pain) caused a kidney disease in my remaining kidney. It is curable,and with high doses of steroids for 4 months, this will all be behind me. This has never occurred in the 30 years of kidney transplants, but they diagnosed it quickly, and I will have a complete recovery. I will get to return to all of my rowing endeavours and work in a few months. In the mean time I am learning patience!

Being a kidney donor is an amazing opportunity, and with the quality of the new anti-rejection drugs available the matches don't need to be as close as they use to. Even if this isn't an option for you, think about filling out the form to include on your drivers license to donate after you are deceased. You can really make a difference!

http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20110321/COMMUNITY/110319560/1362/community?Title=Sight-impaired-friend-donates-the-gift-of-a-lifetimeIts