Transplant chat clinic

[igor74]

Hello everyone.

I am waiting to be sent an appointment to attend the ' transplant chat renal clinic ' at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. I have been informed that this appointment may last up to 2 hours.

I am hoping someone on here who has already been through this experience could tell me what this will involve please.


Ruth

[JMan]

Unless its a pre transplant clinic, I've not come across the term.. Curious now..
Maybe someone from QE can answer the question!

[igor74]

Yes, it's a pre transplant clinic. The appointment letter calls it the 'transplant chat renal clinic'.

[Dixie1]

Hi Ruth

Just a guess, but could it be an 'education' session? My reason for thinking it could be this is that I have recently attended a pre transplant education session at Guys hospital in London. Shortly after I was transferred to the advanced clinic (for those with an eGFR of below 20) and because I am hoping to be considered for transplant, I was told that as part of the process I would need to attend an pre transplant education session which was compulsory. At this education session, which was indeed a 'chat', there were talks from various professionals and these included a transplant surgeon, post op nurse, pharmacist (to educate us on all of the various drugs we would need to take post op) and a patient whom themselves had already received a transplant. The session was held as a group session and there were approx. 10-15 of us (plus accompanying friends/relatives).

If you are hoping to receive a transplant, maybe it is this?? Let us know anyway!

[igor74]

Thanks. I am hoping to get a second transplant so this does seem to be a likely possibility (especially as my current kidney was transplanted in 1974 and things will be completely different now). My appointment is on June 3rd. I will let you know what it is all about when I have been.

[SKM23435]

Ruth,

So has your current transplant lasted 40 years?
What's the secret of keeping them well for so long?
Mine is 10 days old and I feel very protective of it. 40 years and I'll be 94, so if I could keep it for 40 years I'd be very happy.

Sue

[igor74]

Hi Sue,

Great news about your new kidney. Here's to many healthy, happy years ahead for you.

I had my kidney when I was 11. I am 52 now. The donor was a 16 year old French girl who sadly died in a motorcycling accident. I often think of her and it feels strange to think there is a small part of her still living on in me. My consultant says my kidney has lasted so long because I have looked after myself (which I do), but I think I have just been incredibly lucky.

I would say however, I believe that it's important not to allow the fact that we have someone else's kidney to define us or hold us back unnecessarily. Without fail do as the doctors advise, but otherwise as far as possible, live your live as though it never happened. Most of my friends don't know I have had a transplant - yet. That will have to change now I am coming up to dialysis. I have never had dialysis before so the thought of this is daunting. Of course, this is just my opinion and not necessarily the right one, but it has suited me.

Let's hope that you and every other transplant patient get 40 + healthy years too.

All the best.

[igor74]

Thank you for your replies everyone.

I have attended the 'transplant chat clinic' today. It involved speaking to the surgeon and the coordinator and then having an arm full of blood taken. As long as the bloods don't show anything awful I shall be on the list. Well, that bit was was easy anyway.

[Grey]

Igor.... 40 years would make me 65 + 40 Hmmmm 105, could I be so lucky.

[igor74]

Let's hope so grey.

If you were wondering, Igor was my late partner's nick name for my kidney. He had a weird sense of humour.

Ruth

[Chris Wright]

I had my kidney when I was 11. I am 52 now. The donor was a 16 year old French girl who sadly died in a motorcycling accident. I often think of her and it feels strange to think there is a small part of her still living on in me. My consultant says my kidney has lasted so long because I have looked after myself (which I do), but I think I have just been incredibly lucky.

I would say however, I believe that it's important not to allow the fact that we have someone else's kidney to define us or hold us back unnecessarily. Without fail do as the doctors advise, but otherwise as far as possible, live your live as though it never happened. Most of my friends don't know I have had a transplant - yet. That will have to change now I am coming up to dialysis. I have never had dialysis before so the thought of this is daunting. Of course, this is just my opinion and not necessarily the right one, but it has suited me.

Wow, i've had mine 34 years and don't often hear of people wit longer ones. That was a great kidney you had!

And i totally concur with your views, i've always tried to not be a "professional patient" but to just get on and live.

Hope your next one is as good.

Chris

[igor74]

Thanks Chris,

So do I.

Ruth