In the last week, you will have the last tests. For us, the test came five days before the transplant. Alan and I returned to Mount Sinai for final testing. Since the HLA ( Human Leukocyte Antigens ) can change, within a week of the transplant, the recipient and donor must be re-matched to be sure we were …[ read more ]

Not a big enough bottle for the 24 hour urine test Sunday, October 12, 2003, the day before the barrage of testing, I began the dreaded twenty-four hour urine collection. Why must we collect a full day’s worth? This test is a more accurate measure of creatinine levels. Since creatinine is a muscle by-product, the more …[ read more ]

A hemodialysis machine, used to physiologically aid or replace the kidneys in renal failure (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Unfortunately, Alan’s kidney function deteriorated to about twelve percent–the point where dialysis is indicated. Transplant results improve if no dialysis occurs, so our five year wait shrunk to a matter of weeks. My brother roofs. That means he spent …[ read more ]