Introduction:   Dr. Louis Stimmel - Kidney Transplant Coach

My Personal Story To Finding A Living Kidney Donor

In January 2021 I learned that I was in end-stage renal failure after a routine blood test revealed my kidney function was less than 15% and needed to start dialysis as soon as possible.  I began dialysis in April 2021 on a schedule of 3x/week for 4 hours/session from 5-9am.  Dialysis does not cure your kidney failure and only replaces part of your kidney function.  It reduces life expectancy and increases the risk of developing heart inflammation, cardiovascular disease, an irregular heart rate, sudden cardiac arrest, stroke, anemia, sepsis and bone disorders. Dialysis also causes various unwanted daily symptoms like low blood pressure, infections, fatigue, diminished energy, muscle cramps, diminished focus, physical limitations and restrictions. As a chiropractic physician working full-time, I had to accept that my life was going to be forever different with many sacrifices and changes to both my personal and professional lifestyle.

The physical, emotional and psychological challenges of doing dialysis were extremely challenging and altered my daily life. After 3 months on dialysis, I was evaluated by the Kidney Transplant Team and was advised that various tests were needed in order to be considered for a kidney transplant. The testing process took about 14 months to complete due to the COVID-19 pandemic before I was finally accepted onto the kidney Transplant List in November 2022. After launching The Living Kidney Donor Search Campaign in January 2023, an Anonymous Living Kidney Donor came forward on my behalf in just a few months. In May 2023, I received a call from the Living Kidney Donor Department that my Anonymous Donor was a perfect match. Due to scheduling issues, I had my kidney transplant in November 2023 after 30 months of doing dialysis 3 times per week (5am-9am).

Benefits Of A Living Donor Kidney Transplant Compared To A Deceased Kidney Donor Transplant

The benefits and rewards of receiving a kidney transplant from a Living Donor are significant over a kidney transplant from a Deceased Donor. Here is a Summary for your review.

Summary:

• A kidney from a living donor has better outcomes with less chance of complications, infections and rejection compared to a kidney from a deceased donor.
• A kidney from a living donor reduces a patient’s time on dialysis and possibly even eliminates the need for dialysis at all.
• A kidney from a living donor eliminates the long waiting list time of 3-7 years on average for a kidney from a deceased kidney donor.
• Approximately 17 people die per day while on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List.
• There are approximately 100,000 people in the USA on the kidney Transplant Waiting List with someone new being added every 10 minutes
• A kidney from a living donor begins to function immediately and eliminates the potential waiting time for a kidney from a deceased donor to “wake up” and function which can sometimes take days or weeks and may require doing dialysis.
• A kidney from a living donor lasts longer (15-25 years) as compared to a kidney from a deceased donor (8-15 years).
• Surgery for a living kidney donor is scheduled at a mutually convenient time between Donor & Recipient rather than an unexpected phone call when you may not be available to get to the hospital in a timely manner for a deceased kidney donor.
• A kidney from a living kidney donor avoids check-ups and updated testing every 12-18 months while waiting on a Kidney Transplant Waiting List that might eliminate you as a candidate for a kidney transplant due to unforeseen and unexpected medical issues.

How Does a Personal Kidney Transplant Coach Make A Difference in Trying to Help You Find A Living Donor

My goal and commitment in helping you is to minimize your stress, anxiety, fear and uncertainty that I regularly experienced in successfully finding a Living Kidney Donor.  I personally design your personal website and mentor you on using the Living Kidney Donor Search Program and the various marketing, advertising and social media strategies to help you find Potential Living Kidney Donors that could possibly become your Living Donor based upon their medical eligibility, blood & tissue type and other factors   I guide you through this difficult process so that you are not alone in dealing with the daily challenges and hurdles that can be overwhelming and frustrating.

Kindly review my personal Kidney Search Campaign Website at DrLouNeedsAKidney.com to understand how a personal website helps you Share Your Story to find Potential Living Kidney Donors.  Contact me for a FREE CONSULTATION so we can talk to review your situation and get your questions and concerns addressed. I look forward to helping you in your search to find someone to give you The Gift of Life.

DISCLAIMER: 

Please remember that FINDING A LIVING KIDNEY DONOR IS NOT GUARANTEED as many factors such as the potential donor's medical eligibility, blood/tissue type, your individual efforts to follow the Living Kidney Donor Search Program and any potential unforeseen challenges, problems and/or medical issues or complications for both you and your Potential Living Donors are out of my control. Medical information provided on this website is solely as an informational resource, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for any professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition or course of treatment.  The Kidney Transplant Coach expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for an damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained on this website.