My Judgement Day

Finally! It has been 7 months since I found out my kidney is failing, 5 months since my first visit with Dr. Cool Whip and 4 months since I started my pre-transplant evaluation and I am FINISHED!!! There were several times during this process when I thought this day would never arrive and it took every ounce of strength and patience I had to keep chugging along, but the day has come at last. I completed the last of my tests this past Monday, an ultrasound of my legs with no sign of Grumpy McNo-Fun (!), and gave Sandra, the transplant coordinator a call on Thursday. To my surprise, she said that she would be able to present my case to the transplant team this coming week. They will meet this Thursday to decide if I am an ideal candidate for transplantation and yes, I am a nervous wreck. While no one seems to think there would be any reason for them to deny me, it is virtually impossible to predict the outcome. There are three possible scenarios...they can approve me, deny me, or deny me for now. My main concern is my creatinine clearance, which is right on the cusp. In order to list, they like you to be 20 or below. When we last checked mine, it was 24 and Dr. Cool Whip most recently estimated it at a little under 21, so it could really go either way. Obviously, I wouldn't be devastated if they decide to wait for that number to go down to list me, but it really isn't the answer I am looking for. Ideally, I would like to list now while I'm still feeling relatively good than to wait until I'm knocking on the door of Mr. Dialysis. Plus, as soon as I am listed, those who are interested in donating a kidney can begin getting their evaluations, thereby increasing my chances of skipping dialysis altogether. I realize this is the best case scenario, and the chances of this happening are slim...but a girl can dream.

But, it is out of my hands now. I've done all I can do, and it's up to the transplant team to decide. Luckily, my vacation to Florida is this week, so I will be entirely too busy planning, packing, and relaxing to worry and over analyze. I have good friends to visit, sunshine to enjoy, dolphins to swim with and rides to ride. And hopefully, I'll be bringing back a bit of good news!