My mom’s kidney numbers are about the same as yours, Jeff–hovering in the low 20′s. A year ago she was about to have a transplant with a friend who had offered. She went in for her pre-op a week prior to the surgery, and they decided they couldn’t transplant because her kidney function was too high! Apparently new studies show there’s a very fine line between low enough to require one, and just high enough that you increase the chance of rejection. She was able to get her numbers up in a year from 21% to 27% and in the year since then, they’re in the 23% range and holding. (For unrelated reasons the friend is no longer a potential donor.)

Do you follow a kidney patient diet? Limit foods containing phosphorus, potassium, and other minerals, not too much protein, etc? My mom is pretty careful about what she eats and we attribute her good numbers largely to that.

Like you, my mom is not a great candidate for dialysis, so we are looking at a transplant as an eventual necessity. Her kidneys were damaged 29yrs ago from chemo for ovarian cancer (which she survived, amazingly.) In ’08 she had 2 AV fistula surgeries to prep her for dialysis, but neither was successful–her veins were basically falling apart. They put a hose in her arm but if she were to need dialysis they’d have to do it via a port, which all agree is not a good option. So, donation it is. It is fantastic and wonderful how many strangers and people in our circle of friends have shown interest.

The idea of a 2- or 3-way matched pair donation is great too. 2 or more recipients bring donors and they exchange.

A living donor is far far better than a cadaver kidney, too, so you’re doing the right thing by pursuing this rather than counting on The List.

Best of luck and good health to you!
xx H