Kidney donation

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RoncalliM

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Hi all.

I have been doing a great deal of interesting reading lately about the market for kidney donation. I asked myself, if I as a healthy Catholic, had a mandate to donate one of my kidney’s to help those on the waiting list, or on dialysis (some people on the waiting list are not on dialysis and visa versa). I could find no reason why I shouldn’t. I am interested to hear your feedback on this.
 
A year and a half ago, I was facing going on dialysis. My kidney function had dropped to 19%. At 15%, dialysis is started.

On the advice of my nephrologist, I had an arterial-venous fistula put in my arm to make a port for dialysis. This is supposed to be safer than than the frequently found catheter/shunt often used.

Of course, I was anointed the day before the surgery. I recall Fr. Peter saying, “Let us shake the Throne of Heaven with our prayers for him.”

When I had my labs after surgery, my nephrologist was surprised to see my kidney function had jumped up to 40%. It has been staying around 49% since.

All this is building up to this:

I inquired and read and thought about a kidney transplant, and decided that I could not in conscience receive one. This was simply my own decision.

Were I in your shoes, unless it’s a close family member, I would hesitate to donate a kidney. What would you do if your remaining kidney were to fail?

If you have diabetes, for example, you are totally unsuitable as a living donor.

If you wish to donate your organs after your death, that’s another matter.
 
Hello all,
I know this thread is about a month old now, but it came up in a google search I was doing and I felt I had to respond when I read the question. As far as only having one kidney after donating, that is not as huge an issue as it may sound. The majority of kidney illnesses or diseases affect both kidneys not just one. So whether you had one kidney or two make little difference. The two exceptions being if you take part in contact sports … boxing for example … you would need to avoid an injury to the kidney. And then tumours. If you were to get a tumour on the remaining kidney. I think I read somewhere that statistics show that you are more likely to be run over or be struck by lightening than for that to happen. Quite a few people are born with only one kidney and never know it i.e. they lead perfectly healthy lives with just one. My sister is donating her kidney to a stranger and she found this blog which inspired her a lot livingkidneydonation.co.uk and also answered many of her questions that she could not find answers to elsewhere. She even emailed the owner who still keeps in contact with her.

I think what stood out in the comments on that site was when under the Emotions post the owner said:

“The desire to donate must come from within the heart and not from any outside pressure.”

I think that sums it up. As long as a persons religion does not forbid organ donation etc then I think just listen to your heart. Thorough medical tests are done to make sure you are healthy enough to donate including family medical history. A donor once said that to hold back your kidney just in case a family member might one day need one is saying their life is worth more than a strangers and the person who needs one right now…

food for thought.

Thank you for reading.

Open your hearts and you will hear God speak.
Live In Hope

Sally
xx
 
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