Today we learned the results of the GFR test. The donor coordinator called. I have been medically disqualified.
To medically qualify as a kidney donor the acceptable GFR result range is 90 to 120. My result was 86.8. Close but no cigar- so to speak. It was explained that although there is nothing medically wrong with my kidneys they are not efficient enough for donation. Having only one of my kidneys would not be sufficient to maintain my health. In addition, one of my kidneys would not function well enough to sustain Heather's needs. I asked if there was anything I could do to improve and was gently told that as we age (meaning I am OLD) our kidneys also age.
This leaves us with only prayer and positive thoughts that a kidney will somehow appear.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 4A
GFR Test Completed This Morning --
First a comment . The process of being medically evaluated for kidney donation seems to be a long and rigorous one. But thus far it has allowed me to meet some of the nicest people! Being greeted with a smile and by first name in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at NYU Hospital was a great beginning for my day. Then there were two really sweet people who explained the test and inserted two leads - one in a vein in each arm. In addition, almost every person I have met along the way (NYU Blood lab, the local Quest Lab, etc.) has said they will pray for the success of my approval and Heather's successful receiving of my kidney. Now on to the test.
The first step was to completely empty the bladder. Next came insertion of a lead in each arm. One arm (R) was set up for injection of the Technetium 99 radioactive isotope. The other arm (L) had a small IV bag at the end with a switch port near my wrist to allow drawing blood. Then drank a cup of water and was placed laying on my back and put into a scanning machine. Once placement was confirmed, and anything metal in the region of interest (i.e. belt buckle, zipper) moved, the Tc99 was injected. The progress of the isotope was tracked by the scanner for 60 minutes (lay still, keep arms at your sides). Once the 60 minute period was complete there was then a 2 minute scan of my bladder.
After scanning was completed 5 or 6 vials of blood were drawn from the non Tc99 arm. The lead where the Tc was delivered was removed. The IV bag and switch port were removed but the lead left in place. A little heparin was put in to help avoid any clotting in the line and I was free to go for 90 minutes.
One tuna fish and diet coke later I was back in the Nuclear Medicine Dept. 5 or 6 more vials of blood were drawn at that time. The lead was removed and I was on my way home!
Results are to be available tomorrow. Unfortunately tomorrow is a Saturday so guess nothing much will happen till next week. Fingers will be crossed till we hear. :-)
First a comment . The process of being medically evaluated for kidney donation seems to be a long and rigorous one. But thus far it has allowed me to meet some of the nicest people! Being greeted with a smile and by first name in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at NYU Hospital was a great beginning for my day. Then there were two really sweet people who explained the test and inserted two leads - one in a vein in each arm. In addition, almost every person I have met along the way (NYU Blood lab, the local Quest Lab, etc.) has said they will pray for the success of my approval and Heather's successful receiving of my kidney. Now on to the test.
The first step was to completely empty the bladder. Next came insertion of a lead in each arm. One arm (R) was set up for injection of the Technetium 99 radioactive isotope. The other arm (L) had a small IV bag at the end with a switch port near my wrist to allow drawing blood. Then drank a cup of water and was placed laying on my back and put into a scanning machine. Once placement was confirmed, and anything metal in the region of interest (i.e. belt buckle, zipper) moved, the Tc99 was injected. The progress of the isotope was tracked by the scanner for 60 minutes (lay still, keep arms at your sides). Once the 60 minute period was complete there was then a 2 minute scan of my bladder.
After scanning was completed 5 or 6 vials of blood were drawn from the non Tc99 arm. The lead where the Tc was delivered was removed. The IV bag and switch port were removed but the lead left in place. A little heparin was put in to help avoid any clotting in the line and I was free to go for 90 minutes.
One tuna fish and diet coke later I was back in the Nuclear Medicine Dept. 5 or 6 more vials of blood were drawn at that time. The lead was removed and I was on my way home!
Results are to be available tomorrow. Unfortunately tomorrow is a Saturday so guess nothing much will happen till next week. Fingers will be crossed till we hear. :-)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 4
Results are back. Donor Coordinator called about an hour ago. Hold onto your hats - the tests apparently were inconclusive! So now have to do a new test. The new test is called a Nuclear GFR. Of course the first thing I did was Google the test to see what is involved. Whew! Here is what it said:
GFR Measurement
What is a GFR Measurement?
A Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) measurement is carried out to measure how well your kidneys filter your blood.
What is involved?
A small injection with a special radioactive (Chromium-51) tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in your arm. The injection is no more painful than a blood test.
After a delay of two hours we will take a blood sample from another vein, again in your arm, and after a further two hours we will take a second blood sample.
You may leave the department between each part of the procedure.
But you must attend for the blood samples at the times given to you by the technician or radiographer. You can eat and drink normally. After the second blood sample you will be free to go.
How long will it take?
The whole test takes about four and a half hours, but you are free to leave the department between the different parts of the procedure.
Do I need to do anything before and after the test?
Before the test you may eat and drink normally, but do not consume any alcohol in the previous 24 hours as this can affect the result.
After the test you do not need to take any precautions and can eat and drink normally.
What about my result?
As the blood samples will be analysed at a later time we are unable to tell you the result of the test. The results will be sent to the doctor who requested the test.
Here it gets more interesting because I am in glorious New York City and the Donor Coordinator is at the Medical College of Georgia. Now she has to find a hospital here in NYC that is willing to have their Nuclear Medicine Dept administer the test. I would think that presents a little bit of a billing nightmare but thank heaven this problem will not be mine!
Will let you know. Fingers still crossed! ;-)
GFR Measurement
What is a GFR Measurement?
A Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) measurement is carried out to measure how well your kidneys filter your blood.
What is involved?
A small injection with a special radioactive (Chromium-51) tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in your arm. The injection is no more painful than a blood test.
After a delay of two hours we will take a blood sample from another vein, again in your arm, and after a further two hours we will take a second blood sample.
You may leave the department between each part of the procedure.
But you must attend for the blood samples at the times given to you by the technician or radiographer. You can eat and drink normally. After the second blood sample you will be free to go.
How long will it take?
The whole test takes about four and a half hours, but you are free to leave the department between the different parts of the procedure.
Do I need to do anything before and after the test?
Before the test you may eat and drink normally, but do not consume any alcohol in the previous 24 hours as this can affect the result.
After the test you do not need to take any precautions and can eat and drink normally.
What about my result?
As the blood samples will be analysed at a later time we are unable to tell you the result of the test. The results will be sent to the doctor who requested the test.
Here it gets more interesting because I am in glorious New York City and the Donor Coordinator is at the Medical College of Georgia. Now she has to find a hospital here in NYC that is willing to have their Nuclear Medicine Dept administer the test. I would think that presents a little bit of a billing nightmare but thank heaven this problem will not be mine!
Will let you know. Fingers still crossed! ;-)
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 3B
Completed the required 24 hour urine collection Monday, March 2 and handed it in. On Saturday the 28th of Feb I collected and delivered to the lab a "first morning" sample. That one is to be tested for creatinine. The Monday they took more blood for an albumin/creatinine test. Have no idea what the 24 hour sample is specifically for . . . Whew! This can get confusing really fast.
Hopefully we will hear results soon and they will be "acceptable." Will let you know.
Hopefully we will hear results soon and they will be "acceptable." Will let you know.
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