When will I get a kidney?
That depends on:
- how common your blood type and antigens are
- the availability of kidneys
- the presence of antibodies in your blood
- how long you've been on the waiting list
What happens when I get the call?
When you are notified that there is a kidney for you, it is normal to feel both excited and scared. The doctor will want to know how long it wil take you to get to the hospital. If you are on dialysis he may ask when you last dialyzed. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything from the time you are called until you arrive at the hospital.
Waiting for a Kidney Transplant
After you have completed the initial evaluation, been accepted for transplant, and listed for an organ, you may find the waiting time stressful. While you are waiting for the call to come to the hospital, try to maintain a normal schedule of activities. Try to remember that once you get the phone call that an organ is available for you, things will move very quickly. While you wait for an organ, you should continue to:
- see your doctor regularly
- take your medications as directed
- exercise to the best of your ability
- follow your prescribed diet
Where will my new kidney come from?
There are two sources of kidneys available for transplant: living donor and deceased donor.
A blood test called Tissue Typing may be done on interested potential living donors. This test shows how well the donor matches you. The decision to give someone a kidney can be quite difficult. Our transplant team offers special counseling to anyone interested in kidney donation.
I want to know more about living donors and deceased donors.