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Kidney Transplant

Evaluation

Educator's Viewpoint

When Sam was referred by his doctor for education, he came with his wife and his and her mother. He was quiet most of the time and he was not feeling well.   He was extremely tired which made working difficult.

I explained the option of transplantation after talking about kidneys and kidney disease. Sam's mother and his wife were interested in being donors for Sam.   His brother was not present due to working so I didn't know how strong a possibility he might be. Considering there were three possible living donors, I wanted to expedite getting a transplant for this young man.

I mentioned that Sam might have a kidney disease that had a chance of occurring again in a new kidney and that there were pros and cons to everything, including going straight to transplant with a living donor versus having to be on dialysis an unknown length of time waiting for a cadaver donor.

In Sam's case, I referred him immediately to a transplant center for further education and evaluation because he was in his 20's, working, had a family and was otherwise healthy.   To go straight to transplant can be an advantage both for the patient and hopefully save costs over the long run.   After we knew there was a match with Sam's brother, I provided further education to Sam and his wife about hemodialysis and temporary vascular access so they would know what to expect if he needed dialysis before or after transplant.