BMJ  2008;336:1374-1376 (14 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.a277

Practice

A patient’s journey

Becoming a live kidney donor

¹ BMJ, London WC1H 9JR

Analysis, doi:10.1136/bmj.39575.561898.94Head to head, doi:10.1136/bmj.a157doi:10.1136/bmj.a179Reviews, doi:10.1136/bmj.39559.626632.94doi:10.1136/bmj.39559.489051.94

In 2007, Annabel Ferriman gave one of her kidneys to an old friend. This is the story of her journey through that process

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Last year I gave one of my kidneys to an old friend, Ray, who was months away from needing dialysis because of polycystic kidney disease. The operation was a success. Ray is doing well and is back at work, and I feel completely healthy and have had no adverse effects.

It was a positive experience for both of us, but some aspects of the patient journey, in particular the endless tests leading up to the transplant, were so protracted that I was left seething with rage. I am recounting the tale partly to encourage other people to consider kidney donation, but also in the hope that hospitals might make the path for donors a little easier.

I first offered my kidney to Ray at a party, after I had had a few drinks and was feeling expansive. Ray and his wife, Denise, had been telling me about Ray’s kidney problems. . . . [Full text of this article]

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