A blog about Health & Wellness.
Real Name: Ginger Moorhouse Member Since: January 07, 2009 Last Signed In: March 08, 2009 Profile Views: 210 Blog Views: 1525 The last Kidney Chronicles: Setbacks and the new adventure The surgery is a success Transplant surgery on Thursday One week until surgery Countdown to surgery We have a transplant surgery date Complications Traveling along the kidney donor trail Kidney Chronicles Part 2 Starting out to be a kidney donor January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 
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Starting out to be a kidney donor
My daughter gave me a kidney journal for my birthday. She thought I might need some blank pages to record my journey as a kidney donor for my husband, John. I loved my journal and the little kidney picture pasted on the cover. But I had no idea those blank pages would eventually be filled with tears over the continuing decline in John’s kidney function, frustration at lengthy delays, anger as I felt my healthy state questioned over and over, frustration through obscure tests and continual stress as I slogged along trying to offer my kidney.
I have been traveling on the donor journey for nearly a year now. But the decision to donate a kidney came gradually, over the course of many years.
My husband has polycystic kidney disease. It’s an inherited disease where large cysts form on the kidneys and eventually cause kidney failure. When he was diagnosed with the disease many years ago, he learned that he was facing either dialysis or a kidney transplant.
His children are adopted, his father too old and his only sibling’s polycystic kidney disease had already driven her to dialysis and a transplant. Dialysis, while he waited six or seven years for a cadaver kidney, would be his only option.
But that was before I learned I could be his donor.
Several years ago, I was talking horses with an acquaintance. She told me she had completed the grueling Tevis ride, 100 miles over steep Sierra passes in 24 hours, just six months after donating a kidney to her husband.
Holy cow! I was impressed that she completed this famous ride. But more importantly, I was stunned that she had donated a kidney to her husband!
“How does that work,” I asked. “Don’t you have to be related to someone to donate a kidney?”
“No,” she replied. “You just need to have the same blood type. O or A or whatever. Even the positive and negative don’t matter.”
Something clicked in me. My grandmother was born with one kidney, lived to be 80 and died of unrelated causes. So I knew a person could live well on one kidney.
I was so excited; I raced home to ask my husband his blood type. “O negative,” he said. I told him of my conversation with the endurance rider. And then I told him the best news I could think of. “I have O positive blood. I can donate a kidney to you!”
Both of us felt stunned. Could this really be possible?
Later John pursued the matter with his nephrologist at UCLA and asked if I could indeed be his donor.
“Is she healthy?” the nephrologhist asked. “You bet,” said John. And so I committed to be his donor when the time came. We waited for more than a decade until his kidney function fell below 20 percent and he could be added to the national transplant list.
Now I could be tested to become his donor.
UCLA sent me vials for my blood. I took them to the local lab to have blood drawn and sent down to the transplant center to be matched with John’s blood. The woman who took the blood wished us luck. She had worked at a local dialysis center and knew how excited patients would feel when a transplant donor was found.
For almost two weeks we waited trying to think about other things and hoping our blood was getting along.
Next: The match results and the early tests
11 comments from 10 users
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posted by
siouxcityranch
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:13 AM
so whats the hold up?? why won6t they take it and run? your an extraordinary woman..I hope your hubby realizes what he has. posted by
randomfactor
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:37 AM
In rare cases even the blood type doesn't matter. I applied to be a kidney donor and didn't make the "cut," pardon the pun. Best of luck to you--I know personally what a transplant can mean to a kidney patient. As far as the hold up, they have to make sure that the transplant won't create a *NEW* kidney patient (due to problems with the one remaining kidney, blood pressure issues, etc.) The rest of you--sign that donor card and *TELL YOUR FAMILY YOU ARE A DONOR IN THE EVENT OF DEATH.* posted by
NancyII
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
I wish you both well on this journey, I know it's a difficult one. Inga Barks husband has been ill following his transplant and I also wish them well and better health. Forgive me if this is misplaced but it's was comical. I just read today that a man donated his kidney to his wife and when they divorced he wanted it back. He said he knew he couldn't get it physically but want a million + for it. Back to serious. My daughter lost one of her kidneys due to a domestic violence episode and I know how terrifying it is. I also know she can live a normal live with just one but it's always a concern. She developed an infection in her remaining kidney a couple of years ago and it was pretty scary. It does change the way they live to some degree such as meds they won't be able to take. I think we're blessed to have two of them and the ability to save a life. I agree with Random folks, get those donor cards signed and let your family know. Don't make them have to make that decision after you're gone. posted by
randomfactor
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:56 AM
He said he knew he couldn't get it physically but want a million + for it. He won't get that either. It's illegal to sell human organs. posted by
robinislost
on Jan 8, 2009 at 01:31 PM
OK, you've got me hooked. I can't wait until you post more! How often will you be posting here, Ginger? I love how so many of The Californian's employees are getting involved with B.com and starting blogs. It's fun! posted by
CurtDalton
on Jan 8, 2009 at 03:38 PM
Ginger & John, I too wish you God's-Speed in locating a replacement kidney. I am confident John's Yankee heritage and New England "grit" will prevail in this troubling time. While I am not an eligible donor, I know there are millions of people who are suitable candidates for donating organs. PLEASE (please) fill out your donor card and discuss your wishes with each of your family members as well as your personal physician. All too often precious organs are wasted due to uncertainty over what the deceased would have wanted. Don't let another life be needlessly lost, become a organ donor advocate and tell everyone you know to become donors also.
BTW, great photo! posted by
sagefever
on Jan 8, 2009 at 06:02 PM
Best wishes. Be a donor, tell your family and friends,ask them to consider it also, and consider donating your body to science.
posted by
mlfulton
on Jan 8, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Ginger, thank you for sharing your story. I hope your generosity and courage will inspire others to consider kidney donation. My mom was recently diagnosed as having severe deterioration of her kidneys. She's being treated for it, but in case things don't improve, it's comforting to know that I might be able to help her since we have the same blood type. By the way, when I completed my Living Will, I requested to become an organ donor and was told by an attorney that you had to be younger than 40 to donate. This is not true! The California Transplant Donor Network has the facts. posted by
pachecod
on Jan 8, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Ginger, I only recently learned about PKD through a friend who asked for support for a fundraising walk he was participating in. Since then, I've learned a lot more about the disease. It's really great that you're able to help your husband, and that you've chosen to be public about being a donor. You'll be an inspiration to many others. We all wish you and John the very best, and we're all rooting for you. Here are some stats my friend sent with his request for help:
posted by
Justinian
on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:12 PM
Hi Ginger, You are truly doing a courageous and selfless thing. Thank you for sharing your experiences with our blogging community. Best wishes to you and John. posted by
Motoko
on Jan 18, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Ginger, thank you for sharing your experience with us! Kidney disease is becoming more and more common problem these days, and your story will help, encourage, and inspire many of us. On top of that, I am now hooked your story and wanting to know how your journey will take us through!
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