Treating Kidney Failure With Kidney Transplantation
I. Introduction
This online handbook is part of a series produced by the National Kidney Foundation. The goal of this series is to tell you about kidney failure and its treatments and to help you make the best treatment choices. The other topics in this series are:
- An Introduction to the Kidneys and Chronic Kidney Disease
- Treating Kidney Failure With Hemodialysis
- Treating Kidney Failure With Peritoneal Dialysis
- Treating Kidney Failure and Eating Healthy
- Managing Your Life With Kidney Failure
As you read each part of the series, you'll be introduced to some medical terms that may be new to you. To help you get to know these new words, you'll find a list of "Words You Need to Know" in Appendix C. Whenever you see a word in bold type like this, you can find its meaning there.
It is our hope that you'll use this series as a springboard for discussions with your doctor and other members of your health care team and with your family. The better informed patients and their families are, the better the outlook for successful long-term treatment and quality of life for patients.
In this online handbook on kidney transplantation, you'll learn about:
- how you are evaluated for a kidney transplant
- where donated kidneys come from
- the pros and cons of non-living versus living donation
- what is involved in the process of matching kidneys
- what the transplant operation and recovery period involve
- post-transplant care including the medications you will need to take
- getting back to work and other activities after your transplant
- the transplant team responsible for coordinating your care.
For many people with kidney failure, having a kidney transplant feels like a miracle. It offers the potential to correct kidney failure and do away with the need for dialysis. This means that the person usually feels well and can do many things that may be difficult to do while on dialysis. Most people have more energy, and can travel and enjoy a more normal diet than they could on dialysis. Here is what two patients, Cynthia and Theresa, said about receiving their kidney transplant:
"A transplant was right for me because I wanted to go on with my life. I wanted to live normally because I like to dance, I like to ride my bike, I like to go out. I like to do everything."--Cynthia
"To me, the kidney transplant was another miracle in my life. I couldn't even foresee having children at first, and now to have a grandchild is just adding to the excitement. You can't imagine some of the benefits that can come from making the decision to have a transplant."--Theresa
