Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
By the numbers - STATS
35,000: Number of Canadians who have kidney disease
60: Estimated deaths each year of people waiting for a kidney transplant
4,000: Approximate number of people on the wait list for a kidney from a deceased person
$300,000: Amount in health-care costs that could be saved over a patient's lifetime if a faulty kidney is replaced
40: Percentage of last year's 1,200 kidney donations that came from living donors
90 to 95: Percentage of transplanted kidneys from living donors that work well after a year
15 to 20: Number of years, on average, that successfully transplanted kidneys from living donors last
85 to 90: Percentage of transplanted kidneys from deceased donors that work well after a year
10 to 15: Number of years, on average, that successfully transplanted kidneys from deceased donors last
Marina Jiménez and Dakshana Bascaramurty; Sources: Kidney Foundation of Canada; Dr. John Gill
60: Estimated deaths each year of people waiting for a kidney transplant
4,000: Approximate number of people on the wait list for a kidney from a deceased person
$300,000: Amount in health-care costs that could be saved over a patient's lifetime if a faulty kidney is replaced
40: Percentage of last year's 1,200 kidney donations that came from living donors
90 to 95: Percentage of transplanted kidneys from living donors that work well after a year
15 to 20: Number of years, on average, that successfully transplanted kidneys from living donors last
85 to 90: Percentage of transplanted kidneys from deceased donors that work well after a year
10 to 15: Number of years, on average, that successfully transplanted kidneys from deceased donors last
Marina Jiménez and Dakshana Bascaramurty; Sources: Kidney Foundation of Canada; Dr. John Gill
Follow the events of the day when Lisa Sayer donated her kidney in June
This article is fantastic... I can see me in it. Make sure you read not just this page but the links under Related Information (it's a continuation of Lisa's story).
How history was made - The Globe and Mail
This won't be my experience but here's an excerpt from the point of view of the recipient. Interesting information!
It's not necessary to remove the diseased kidneys – instead Dr. Robinette makes a six-inch incision just below the appendix near the groin, cuts through three layers of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle to the external iliac artery and vein in the right leg; this artery and vein are used to implant the kidney. The renal artery and vein are sewn to these vessels.
Once the vascular clamps are released, blood begins to flow to the kidney. First the vein is opened and the kidney turns purple, then arterial blood begins flowing and the kidney turns pink. “It suddenly jumps to life. It's very exciting,” Dr. Robinette says.
Doctors watch to see that the patient is putting out urine, which means the kidney is working: “The pee in the bag is like liquid gold.”
How history was made - The Globe and Mail
This won't be my experience but here's an excerpt from the point of view of the recipient. Interesting information!
It's not necessary to remove the diseased kidneys – instead Dr. Robinette makes a six-inch incision just below the appendix near the groin, cuts through three layers of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle to the external iliac artery and vein in the right leg; this artery and vein are used to implant the kidney. The renal artery and vein are sewn to these vessels.
Once the vascular clamps are released, blood begins to flow to the kidney. First the vein is opened and the kidney turns purple, then arterial blood begins flowing and the kidney turns pink. “It suddenly jumps to life. It's very exciting,” Dr. Robinette says.
Doctors watch to see that the patient is putting out urine, which means the kidney is working: “The pee in the bag is like liquid gold.”
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A new surgeon?
I just got a call from Sherry, my transplant coordinator assistant. She said there will be a minor change. I got worried for a second. A major change would be that the surgery was rescheduled - again.
The minor change is that I will be getting a new surgeon, possibly. She wanted to change my surgeon so that I would get a laparascopic surgery. "WHAT?!", I said to her. I was not told that it *wouldn't* be laparascopic! She says, "So this is good news." Yes, yes, it is! My goodness, I have not even prepared for the possibility it would be the 'traditional' slice-open-my-left-side and take out the kidney. Ugh! Laparascopic is the way to go!!
The kidney expert with whom I consulted at the end of last summer, Dr. Richardson, suggested that I adamantly request for laparascopic; that if I am doing this donation altruistically that I deserve the 'elite' operation. I expressed my preference at least twice to Michael Garrels, the transplant coordinator so I just assumed that that was the way it would be. He never said it was a sure thing. He said he would try. So Sherry is trying! She was about to give me the new surgeon's name but said she had jumped the gun and first had to speak with Michael. But that's OK. Go, Sherry. Get my laparascopic surgeon. I prefer 4 little incisions over 1 big one! Please and Thank you!
Just this morning I was going over in my mind what my recovery would be like. Maybe it is positive thinking but I really feel after 3 weeks I should be fairly functional again. I mean as far as my job goes, which I can do from home. If I get sliced open recovery will definitely be much longer. I really, really want the more advanced method. Yes, the actual surgery takes an extra hour... but what will I care, I'll be snoozing.
The minor change is that I will be getting a new surgeon, possibly. She wanted to change my surgeon so that I would get a laparascopic surgery. "WHAT?!", I said to her. I was not told that it *wouldn't* be laparascopic! She says, "So this is good news." Yes, yes, it is! My goodness, I have not even prepared for the possibility it would be the 'traditional' slice-open-my-left-side and take out the kidney. Ugh! Laparascopic is the way to go!!
The kidney expert with whom I consulted at the end of last summer, Dr. Richardson, suggested that I adamantly request for laparascopic; that if I am doing this donation altruistically that I deserve the 'elite' operation. I expressed my preference at least twice to Michael Garrels, the transplant coordinator so I just assumed that that was the way it would be. He never said it was a sure thing. He said he would try. So Sherry is trying! She was about to give me the new surgeon's name but said she had jumped the gun and first had to speak with Michael. But that's OK. Go, Sherry. Get my laparascopic surgeon. I prefer 4 little incisions over 1 big one! Please and Thank you!
Just this morning I was going over in my mind what my recovery would be like. Maybe it is positive thinking but I really feel after 3 weeks I should be fairly functional again. I mean as far as my job goes, which I can do from home. If I get sliced open recovery will definitely be much longer. I really, really want the more advanced method. Yes, the actual surgery takes an extra hour... but what will I care, I'll be snoozing.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Talk to your family about organ donation - Healthcare in Canada
In order to be an organ donor, the donor must die from brain death, also referred to as neurological death. In laymen's terms, this form of death results from a severe injury to the brain, whereby the brain ceases to function because of insufficient blood or oxygen. If the person does not die before reaching a hospital, the organs can be kept alive for a short period of time, allowing for them to be donated. This is highly uncommon, occurring in just 1% to 2% of all deaths. People who die from other causes cannot donate organs, although they may still be able to donate tissue, including eyes, skin, bones, veins, and heart valves.
Talk to your family about organ donation
Talk to your family about organ donation
Foley's catheter insertion in male and female
NOTE: This is a bit graphic (even though demonstrated on a "dummy") so unless you are going to have this done....
Foley's catheter insertion in male and female
I just found out this will happen to me while I'm under the knife... and I was curious as to how it's actually done so I'm really glad I'll be asleep when they do it!!
Foley's catheter insertion in male and female
I just found out this will happen to me while I'm under the knife... and I was curious as to how it's actually done so I'm really glad I'll be asleep when they do it!!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
My surgeon - Dr. Michael Robinette, M.D.
Michael Robinette, M.D. has over 30 years experience in the field of urology. He is an Associate Professor, Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto and serves as a Consultant in Urology at Toronto General Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.
Dr. Robinette received his medical degree from the University of Toronto and completed his postgraduate surgical urology fellowship training in Toronto. He also spent a year in London, England at the London Hospital studying transplant and tumour immunology.
Dr. Robinette has been published in over 30 peer reviewed journals and has given multiple lectures and presentations at hospitals, universities and conferences. He is a member of the Canadian Urological Association, the American Urological Association and the International Society of Urology. Dr. Robinette's primary areas of interest are renal transplantation, urological cancer and stone disease.
Medical School, University of Toronto
Fellowship, University of Toronto
Canadian Urological Association (CUA)
American Urological Association (AUA)
Canadian Urological Academy
International Society of Urology
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Partner, Can-Am HIFU (1 of 7 partners)
Address:
University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital
585 University Avenue
11-1264 NCSB
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2N2
Phone: 416-340-3855
Email: michael.robinette@uhn.on.ca
URL: www.Can-AmHIFU.com or www.Can-AmHIFU.ca
Dr. Robinette is one of seven partners in Can-Am HIFU which has a small ownership interest in Toronto HIFU LP.
Dr. Robinette received his medical degree from the University of Toronto and completed his postgraduate surgical urology fellowship training in Toronto. He also spent a year in London, England at the London Hospital studying transplant and tumour immunology.
Dr. Robinette has been published in over 30 peer reviewed journals and has given multiple lectures and presentations at hospitals, universities and conferences. He is a member of the Canadian Urological Association, the American Urological Association and the International Society of Urology. Dr. Robinette's primary areas of interest are renal transplantation, urological cancer and stone disease.
Medical School, University of Toronto
Fellowship, University of Toronto
Canadian Urological Association (CUA)
American Urological Association (AUA)
Canadian Urological Academy
International Society of Urology
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Partner, Can-Am HIFU (1 of 7 partners)
Address:
University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital
585 University Avenue
11-1264 NCSB
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2N2
Phone: 416-340-3855
Email: michael.robinette@uhn.on.ca
URL: www.Can-AmHIFU.com or www.Can-AmHIFU.ca
Dr. Robinette is one of seven partners in Can-Am HIFU which has a small ownership interest in Toronto HIFU LP.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Appointment with my transplant surgeon
Sherry, the transplant assistant, called to inform me she'll be sending me a letter next week about what I need to do before surgery. I have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 2 p.m. for about an hour on the 12th floor of Toronto General. I have to sign a consent form too.
Dr. Robinette will be away June 3-13 so hopefully that means the surgeon comes back rested and refreshed to take out my kidney. :)
I have to go back June 8 for the final tests before the actual surgery.
Dr. Robinette will be away June 3-13 so hopefully that means the surgeon comes back rested and refreshed to take out my kidney. :)
I have to go back June 8 for the final tests before the actual surgery.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Emotions
I suddenly got very emotional when my cousin Elaine Corey asked me if I would like for her to put me on the prayer list at her church. :) I said yes, of course but to particularly please mention the recipients. They are the ones waiting for new kidneys in order to lead better lives. Me, I'm perfectly healthy!
Four weeks from today the surgery will be complete and 3 recipients will be able to empty their bladders just like I do! :)
Four weeks from today the surgery will be complete and 3 recipients will be able to empty their bladders just like I do! :)
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About Me
- Roz
- I married Lorne on Saturday, August 13, 2005. Our children Benjamin and Brittany live with us and our 3 dogs Bailey, Rex, Leo, and Molly the cat.