Once I receive my shiny new (to me) kidney, I'll be cured! Right? RIGHT?
Wrong.
An organ transplant is not a cure. It's a effective treatment, that often can result in an increase in quality of life and in some cases life expectancy.
Truth be told, even once the arduous task of finding a match for a donor kidney is over and the operation has been successful, there is no guarantee that the donor kidney will last. Rejection is a constant concern for transplant recipients.
In fact, there's no guarantee that once the new kidney is transplanted that it will take. Our bodies are marvelous engines, outfitted with efficient security systems. These security systems, better known as our immune system; protect us from all kinds of nasties: germs, viruses, toxins, fungi etc.
It's SO efficient that it sometimes even attacks things that are trying to help you. A transplanted organ is viewed by your bodies immune system as a foreign body (part...literally in this case). As such it gets to work quickly to expell the invader.
The bodies immune system makes T-cells and antibodies made from B cells to attack foreign invaders. When this happens rejection occurs.
To try to prevent rejection, the hospital transplant team puts patients on a variety of anti-rejection transplant meds. These include immuno-surpressants.
The multiple medications that a new transplant recipent is placed him on, take a heavy toll on the body. Prednisone alone can result in massive weight gain, mental health and mood issues, headache, tiredness and issues with sleep. The adjustment to the medicinal regiment and it's side effects is a major hurdle for transplant recipents to navigate. It can take a major toll on thier mental and physical well-being.
So while the prospect of an organ transplant is exciting and hope inspiring, it is important for those attempting to find a donor and those who support them to remember; there is no silver bullet cure that magically earses the threat of kidney failure.
What you get in the bargain of organ transplant is the opportunity to find temporary freedom from the shackles of dialysis and *hopefully* a longer and more fulfilling life. It's a pretty sweet enticement; but it is a bargain struck. In exchange for the shackles of dialysis you will be weighed down by the responsibility of a extensive prescription medication regime and lifestyle adjustments. Foods, environmental risks and certain lifestyle options will no longer be safe. A recipient must be diligent in thier health monitoring and they are at substantial risk for infection due to immunosuppressant. Risk of cancer is elevated, and even a simple trip to the dentist is now a more difficult task than before.
In my opinion the exchange is worth every concession.
If it gives me the opportunity to watch my kids grow up and to have the chance to experience a bit more life has to offer; I'm more than willing to put in the hard work.
Hard work is always worth it.
But I won't take the precarious nature of my health for granted. Because I know even with the gift of life that is a new kidney; Chronic Kidney Disease is still looming in the background.
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