General Q & A

We are still moving along with the transplant process.....at what seems to be a snails pace. 
Anyone with blood type A or O, under 40 years of age and who are in good health can still contact Melissa Moore, Transplant Coordinator at 901-516-8466 for a pre-screening and to potentially be added to the list of possible kidney donors for Maci.  We are not notified when someone calls to ask about being a donor.  We will only know you called if you tell us directly.  Otherwise it is all done privately. 

Actual testing has not started.  Before testing of donors can begin, Maci must be put on the transplant list.  Right now, her transplant surgeon wants her to be taller/longer to be sure there is room for the new kidney.

Most people do not know that when someone receives a kidney transplant they add the kidney to the abdomen, leaving the original two kidneys (located in the small of your back).  Only if the kidneys someone is born with are causing problems will they be removed.  If they aren't a problem they stay.  The blood supply is disconnected from the original kidneys and attached to the new, donor kidney.  Eventually the original kidneys will shrink, to a tiny size, because of lack of blood flow.

Since a kidney is approximately the size of a grown man's fist, there needs to be room for it to fit comfortably.  With Maci being a little taller, lengthening her torso, it will mean her abdomen will have more room.  The new kidney can't be crowded or there is a risk of the blood supply being compromised. 

I am unsure as to how much the transplant surgeon wants Maci to grow.  I hope to have that answer soon. 

Once Maci is placed on the transplant list they will begin testing potential donors.  Maci's blood has to be drawn on the same day the potential donor's is drawn so they prefer as many of the potential donors be tested on the same day to limit the number of times Maci has to be stuck with a needle.

Maci had her echocardiogram (a fancy ultra sound of her heart) on Friday.  The technician did not indicate that she saw anything abnormal (I didn't think there would be) but I will find out Tuesday, when we go to dialysis clinic, the official results.

I will continue to update as there is new information.  Don't forget to go to Sick Side Tattoo and get some raffle tickets to win a $100 value tattoo!  

Much thanks!!!

My sweet girl!