One of the reasons I want to go on Dialysis is to avoid the immunosuppressive medications. I've known from the beginning that Prograf (a drug meant to keep my transplant from being rejected) would damage the kidney. I've also known that being immune suppressed meant I'd be more susceptible to diseases and infections. I'm very grateful for the time I've had with this transplant. According to one of my doctors, because my MPGN will likely return in any new kidney, the risks to a live donor are greater than the benefit I would receive in getting a new kidney (medically speaking). According to my other doctor, I'm just over the line and the risks to the donor are lower than the benefit to me (again medically speaking). The equation changes however with a cadaveric donor; since they're already dead, there's no risk to them. The question then becomes the risk to me and the benefit. Transplantation is major surgery, which could be fatal, if the life expectancy of the kidney is 5 years, is it worth it to go under the knife? German researchers have devised a new technique to reduce the need for anti-rejection medicine. I think with new techniques and new medicines, the needle will swing my way and I'll get another transplant.
"A New Hope"
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