#23 ups and downs

I just received a call from mom, who was at the hospital getting her normal tests done.  Her creatine level is still too high right now, so they have ordered another Kidney Biopsy.  On average, biopsies are done every 3 months in a transplant patient.  This will be mom's second in a week.  She should be getting her biopsy as I type this, and then she will let me know if she is being admitted or not.  All of this could be the result of her medications that they haven't found the perfect level yet, or (knock on wood it's the first possibility) that it is a sign of rejection.  Most transplant patients have at least one bout of rejection.  However even if a kidney starts to reject, it does not mean the patient will lose the Kidney.
This back and forth thing is stressful.  Sigh.

On a lighter note, mom's donor is doing great.  He had his 2 week follow up just the other day.  The doctors say everything looks great.  He has minimal discomfort in the incision sites.  The only hinderance thus far is he doesn't have all of his stamina back yet.  He gets tired easy. Normally he works on multiple projects at once, but now he just has to nap.  This will eventually restore itself.

I talked to the transplant coordinators at the hospital and removed myself from the Paired Donation Network, and switched to being an altruistic donor.  They are currently testing my blood against everyone at the same hospital.  They did not have to draw any blood from me, as Hoxworth still had my blood at their lab from about a year ago.  I've read articles about how most hospitals get wary about altruistic donors, as they are afraid people with psychological problems are donating for the wrong reasons, or there is monetary exchange going on, which in the States is Illegal.  There are plenty of organizations that can help a donor.  Some people's jobs will still pay wages, and the National Kidney Foundation has programs for financial support for those who qualify.  I guess they are afraid someone who has low self esteem problems will think donating will cure their esteem, and often they are in the same mentality after surgery.  However, the coordinators understand why I want to donate, and have cleared me.  I should hear on Tuesday (give a few days) if my blood matches anyone at the hospital.  Fingers crossed!!!