My story! - Kidney Disorders Message Board

Pebble Beach · 10-20-2007, 10:21 AM

Hi all. I am fairly new to this portion of the health board. I needed to tell my story and see if anyone had any advise.

I have been thru a number of surgeries in my life. I am a 54 year old male. Here is my story.

I have been thru 6 spine surgeries. All degenerative problems. Plus I had surgery on my leg for a blood clot. This past January I went thru surgery to remove the tail of my pancreas and spleen due to a large mass that was found. It was determined to be a PRE-malignant cyst, so lucky surgery was done when it was before it became a major problem.

I am also diabetic. The problem now is that I am haing kidney problems due to the diabetes. Please note that I was born with one kidney. The kidney that I have is functioning at only 30%. I have an elevated creatine level that ranges anywhere from 2.0 to 2.7.

I saw my nephrologist last week and wants me to have Vein mapping done on the upper extremities for dialysis to be done in the future. He also said that I will eventually need to see a transplant team as well.

I am worried about going thru dialysis and the eventual transplant. Anyone have any suggestions on what I should expect. Thanks for listening.

Pebble Beach

Saorce · 10-20-2007, 04:01 PM

Hi,

I dont have any advice for you, but I did want to send you my best wishes. It sounds as if you have really gone through the mill. You are exceedingly courageous.

All good wishes,

Julia.

Pebble Beach · 10-20-2007, 04:03 PM

Julia:

Thank you for your words. I'll post more when I know where I am headed.

Pebble Beach

Saorce · 10-20-2007, 04:19 PM

Hi,

Yes please, I shall be thinking of you.

Julia.

duzford · 10-20-2007, 07:07 PM

When you say you were born with one kidney, do you mean you have a horseshoe kidney where the two never unfused at birth. If so, please see a urologist before you make any decisions. See I too have a horseshoe kidney and other birth defects and was told that with my fusion I would be ineligible for a transplant as the renal artery is not exposed and the ureters are not compatible to accept a donor kidney. The most they would be able to do is give me a "piggy back kidney" where a donor kidney would be grafted onto mine for a riskier procedure and greater chance of rejection. I am 38 and functioning at 42% and enduring crippling pain everyday.

I don't mean to scare you by what I am telling you but I do need to be honest and want to make sure you fully explore all options before making rash decisions. I am surprised they are talking dialysis already with you. Usually they wait until 20% or less to consider it. Have you had renal studies done at comparable times to extablish a baseline and rate of decline?