Networking 101

It is a well known fact that in times of crisis, or when facing a serious situation, it's not always what you know, it's who you know. Sometime, it's even who you don't know that can make all the difference. That's where networking comes in; spreading the word to a large and ever-increasing network of friends and acquaintances, and even perfect strangers.

And that is the point of my blog entry today; networking with my friends and neighbors here at zity.biz. Rest assured, I'm not asking for money, and I'm not asking for pity. I'm seeking the experience and wisdom of others that may have found themselves in similar situations, in other words, real world advice. Insightful flashes of brilliance are most welcome.

So here it is in a nutshell; I was told this past Tuesday that I need a kidney transplant, and the sooner the better. This is a direct result of Diabetes Mellitus type 2, and as many of you know, I have dealt with many other serious complications as well. My options right now are threefold; transplant, dialysis, or death.

Many of you are saying, "why don't you just go for dialysis?" I am sure that one way or another, it will come to that. It is a known fact that patients that have transplant surgery prior to initiating dialysis have a better chance of uncomplicated recovery, probably due to the fact that dialysis weakens the system. Clinic-based hemodialysis is not an option for me. The quality of life that would be available to me if I chose that course of treatment would be so reduced that I feel I would prefer palliative care instead. I have discussed this option with my partner, my daughter, and my doctor. They are aware of my wishes in that regard.

I do have the option of continuous nocturnal peritoneal dialysis. This is a more palatable alternative because it can be done at home, and as the name implies, at night while I sleep. It has its own set of drawbacks as well but I feel it's the most manageable alternative to the immediate problem.

Still, the best option would be a transplant. When my doctor first suggested it, I dismissed it out of hand due to financial considerations. I think I have those solved now, and my daughter has selflessly volunteered to be tissue-typed as a potential donor. She has not agreed to be a donor and I don't think she'll make that decision until we find out whether she's a match or not, and after a long educational process. There are a lot of things for her to think about, she has a young family and the recuperation from surgery will limit her ability to take care of her family. And of course we have to think about the risks of surgery itself.

If she is not a match, then I will be placed on the waiting list for a deceased-donor kidney or kidney/pancreas transplant. That is the most long range and potentially damaging option. The longer a patient has to wait for an organ, the more likely it is that the transplant itself will be complicated.

I find myself at the very beginning of what promises to be a very long and arduous road. I can only do my part by staying as healthy as I possibly can, keeping all my levels in good control and building a healthcare team that will act as advocates for me. And of course, I have to keep a good mental outlook and strive for a positive outcome.

Given the wide range of personalities and experiences assembled here, I am hoping that perhaps there will be some pearls of wisdom to drop in my bucket of knowledge. If you would prefer not to respond on an open forum, please feel free to PM me or contact me on YIM.

I thank you in advance for any advice you can offer! Right now, knowledge is my best asset.