Last time I brought you up to date on how things are going with my dialysis. As I mentioned at the end of that article, I have simultaneously been actively working towards a possible kidney transplant. And that’s what today’s blog is about.
I think when I last wrote about this side of my journey, I had found a donor, and the medical tests had indicated that we would be a good crossmatch. Since then both my donor and I have been undergoing an exhaustive battery of medical tests to ensure that there is nothing medical that could derail the transplant process.
Two weeks ago I met with the surgeon who will do the transplant. She went through the results of all the tests I’ve done so far and was generally happy with what she was seeing, with one exception. It appears that one of the tests picked up a potential problem with my gall bladder, so I’ll need to have it removed before they go ahead with the kidney transplant.
Essentially, what the surgeon told me was that if my gall bladder starts giving problems after the transplant, it would be a significant problem, so they would rather just deal with it now and prevent it from being a risk factor later on. So, it looks like one more minor surgery for me before we can start looking at scheduling the actual transplant.
I also still have a few tests that I need to complete, so we’re not totally finished with those yet, either. But at least we’re making progress.
Once all the tests are complete, the medical team will apply to the South African Department of Health for permission for me to receive a kidney transplant from a donor who is unrelated to me. This wouldn’t have been necessary had I been receiving a transplant from a family member, but since the donor and I are unrelated, it is a requirement. Apparently, getting permission can take up to three months, but we’re hoping it will take less time and that we will be able to schedule the transplant operation sometime in early 2026.
At which point I will start a whole new phase of this journey learning to live with a transplanted kidney and all that involves – the diet, the medication, the implications and the impact it will have on my life. I’m under few illusions about the reality of adjusting to being a transplantee, and am busy researching what my life may look like afterwards. But more on that when we eventually get there… I hope.
