THE RECENT EPISODE OF “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” IN WHICH SUSAN ASKS HER MOM AND AUNT FOR A KIDNEY(AND GETS DISMISSED BY BOTH)WAS PAINFUL TO WATCH. I AM HAPPY IT BRINGS THE TOPIC OF END STAGE RENAL DISEASE, DIALYSIS AND TRANSPLANTION TO THE MAINSTREAM, HOWEVER. AND I’VE SEEN IT ALL. PATIENTS SURE THEIR FAMILY WILL STEP UP AND THEY DON’T. OR THEY DO, AGAIN AND AGAIN. A HUSBAND TO WIFE. A WIFE TO HUSBAND. A BOYFRIEND TO GIRLFRIEND. A NEIGHBOR, A STRANGER. A DAUGHTER TO HER DAD. I HAVE HAD 8 YEAR OLDS ASK ME HOW LONG TILL THEY CAN GIVE A KIDNEY TO THEIR MOM. I’VE SEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WAITING TO BE TRANSPORTED INTO THE O.R. WHEN THE MOTHER DECIDES SHE CANNOT POSSIBLY TAKE HER 22 YR OLD DAUGHTER’S KIDNEY. (SHE GOT A DECEASED KIDNEY 2 WEEKS LATER AND HAS DONE VERY WELL NOW 10 YEARS LATER).
WHAT IT MADE ME THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING IS WHAT EXTRAORDINARY HEROES PEOPLE WHO DONATE THEIR KIDNEY ARE. SO IF YOU KNOW A KDINEY DONOR, TELL THEM I SAID SO.
