My 75 year old sister’s kidneys are failing. She was triple jabbed. She has had diabetes for a number of years. It is now taking its toll on her kidneys. She was always overweight from childhood.
She called me yesterday to let me know and asked if I would consider being a donor.
I said yes but I need more information on what that means. I know my husband would object and wouldn’t want me to donate.
She is going to a medical center to see if she is even eligible to get a donor kidney.
I am one of six sibs but half are diabetic (including my sister). The remaining sibs all have said they would be donors. But one had cancer tumor in past (now cancer free) and the other has had multiple surgeries ( 5 spinal fusions, knee and shoulder replacements and a variety of other surgeries).
I am most likely the healthiest and youngest of them all but was recently told I am pre diabetic. I’m working on getting my weight down and have been eating less carbs.
I would like to help her out to stay off dialysis but am a bit concerned about going into a hospital (any hospital) these days to remove a kidney. I am unjabbed. Has anyone else done this?
My husband was Stage 4-5 kidney disease and diabetic, most likely caused by all the diabetic meds he was on. We watched his diet closely: no added salt, no breads or pasta, no starchy vegetables (potatoes, beans), watched his sodium and potassium, eliminated carbs. He lost 30 pounds and 2 pant sizes in 6 months. His A1C and potassium, GFR, improved dramatically to the point he was almost back to Stage 3 kidney function. I strongly advise you to encourage your sister to go on a diet now to help with wound healing PRIOR to surgery and to not waste your kidney. If she doesn’t alter her life style, a kidney donation will be wasted because her body will either reject it, she won’t heal, or the good kidney will face the damaging results of what she is eating. I pray she will be able to find the will to change, with God’s help, because every life has meaning. May God show her the path she must and needs to take and I pray you make the right decision for your family.
I agree with this. Will older sister be changing her diet and lifestyle etc? It's admirable that she is considering this, but kidney failure is typically a good predictor of mortality and I don't think she would gain a huge number of years. Diabetes, at least Type 2, came from years of choices regardless of genetic predisposition etc.
Her willingness, or not, should be the guide as to whether her sister sacrifices for her. Her sister has put her in a difficult position. If she really values her life she must take steps too.