| Thank you! My maternal grandmother lived with kidney disease and my mother and (maternal) aunt both had kidney disease too and have both had kidney transplants (ironically each from their partner). A good friend had a kidney transplant too from her twin sister which means that she has negligible anti-rejection medications. My mother's transplant was more than 10 years ago. She's had issues including, as a consequence of being immuno-supressed, cancer from Epstein-Barr virus (she recovered) but she's otherwise enjoying her 80s with her several grands and a great. My father (her donor) continues to thrive and has had no obvious negative consequences to his life-saving gift. They still bicker!! My sister, cousins and I have our creatinine and potassium levels monitored. I had an elevated potassium test recently and it's depressing to be reminded how fragile life is. In my case, a follow up test appears to indicate that the prior test was exceptional (and I think can be explained). We have 2 kidneys but only one heart, liver etc. and so, while there's an evolutionary benefit, experience suggests that people do just fine with one kidney. To every brave and selfless person who's donated an organ, you have my utmost respect and gratitude. Fun fact: kidney transplant recipients generally have 3 kidneys: the OGs and the donated kidney |