Donating a Kidney...

**skelooth** · 03-05-2007, 11:56 PM

My mom just asked me if I would give her a kidney... I'm kinda freaked and don't know what to think or do....

?? Help?

**Blap Blaow** · 03-06-2007, 12:06 AM

Hypothetical? Just

at her

**Jayhawkk** · 03-06-2007, 12:07 AM

Well, if you're on good terms with your mom and she needs it because of illness and not because of abuse of certain things then I would say jump on it. It's a start on paying her back for bringing you into this world

j/k just make sure whatever the reason it isn't something genetic that could affect you later on causing you to be in the same situation.

**skelooth** · 03-06-2007, 12:07 AM

Not hypothetical... she needs to know by the 19th

**skelooth** · 03-06-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

just make sure whatever the reason it isn't something genetic that could affect you later on causing you to be in the same situation.

That's what worries me man.... I love my mom, and I feel like it's horribley greedy... it's sooo hard to even think about it. She has the kidney problems because of diabeties that runs in the family... this would be her second kidney transplant. I just don't even know how to approach thinking about it... I've got midterms right now too...

**Jayhawkk** · 03-06-2007, 12:13 AM

That's a lot of stress bro and I feel for ya because I come from a family with a LOT of diabetes. Is she overweight by a good bit? I'm curious because the only way she should be burning kidneys is by using insulin to control her blood sugar on improper dieting...Not trying to insult your mom at all but in my case that was the cause. Eating a lot of sweets and using larges amounts of insulin to bring down the sugar was killing her. They believe it was this type of way of controlling her diabetes that caused her Alzheimers

**skelooth** · 03-06-2007, 12:42 AM

Dude my mom eats almost as healthy as we all here do. When I started losing weight and changing lifestyle she did too... but she NEVER ate sweets. She has been a diabetic for over 50 years at this point, and unfortunately there is no escaping the toll it takes on your body. My mom has constantly been in and out of surgery all of my life for everything from broken bones to eye surgery to kidney surgery, to having precancerous cells removed. I had her going to a senior's exercise class but now she broke her toe again. Point blank she is very good about her diet, but yes she is severely overweight. Despite the increased exercise and the good diet she really doesn't lose much of anything. SHe is lethargic because of her kidney problems, and she is on steroids because of her kidney transplant. Her blood sugar generally runs high, but she gets light headed and numb if it drops to 80ish, which is considered a healthy range

**Trick D** · 03-06-2007, 12:52 AM

I wouldn't even have to consider it myself, for a family member or friend i would do it in the heart beat. #1. We only need 1 kidney, and with advances in modern medicine hopefully we won't have to do such things as transplants in the future. It shouldn't be too rough on you from what i hear.

**Sholiz** · 03-06-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trick D

I wouldn't even have to consider it myself, for a family member or friend i would do it in the heart beat. #1. We only need 1 kidney, and with advances in modern medicine hopefully we won't have to do such things as transplants in the future. It shouldn't be too rough on you from what i hear.

You also have to remember that with giving a kidney come restrictions to your own diet, ie: less dairy products.

**DarkFalcon** · 03-06-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

You also have to remember that with giving a kidney come restrictions to your own diet, ie: less dairy products.

It also means a lifetime of hospital visit's and it's not as easy on your body as some make it sound. It's a real sacrifice that you should be 100% sure of before doing. You can't go back once it's done. I really don't envy you having to make such brutal choice.

DJohnson · 03-06-2007, 06:06 AM

Why does she need to know by the 19th?

I'm no expert, but does it not make much more sense to go on the donor list and as the ultimate last resort when her kidney fails (don't you have like a week after it does?). Then of course if she needs it and there are no donors from car accidents or whatever then give one of yours.

I mean giving a kidney is pretty safe nowdays, but better someone who doesn't need it anymore, namely dead donors.

**bubba g** · 03-06-2007, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJohnson

Why does she need to know by the 19th?

I'm no expert, but does it not make much more sense to go on the donor list and as the ultimate last resort when her kidney fails (don't you have like a week after it does?). Then of course if she needs it and there are no donors from car accidents or whatever then give one of yours.

I mean giving a kidney is pretty safe nowdays, but better someone who doesn't need it anymore, namely dead donors.

great point.

another thing to consider is that eating high ammounts of protein, like the ammounts we eat as bodybuilders, is hard on the kidneys even when you have both..

But she is your Mom, and without her you would not be here in the first place

**Blap Blaow** · 03-06-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFalcon

It also means a lifetime of hospital visit's and it's not as easy on your body as some make it sound. It's a real sacrifice that you should be 100% sure of before doing. You can't go back once it's done. I really don't envy you having to make such brutal choice.

It will probably depend on the closeness of the match but my dad was one of the first ever people to donate a kidney around 30 years ago (before I was born). It was to his sister and they've both been in good health ever since.

That being said it was a time when closeness of a match was vital as immunosuppressive drugs were nowhere near as commonplace.

Tough choice Skel, but I can't actually imagine you'd actually say no in the end if it came to it? Does she have any other options like DJ suggested?

**romanaz** · 03-16-2007, 03:09 AM

any update skel?

Vegeto · 03-16-2007, 06:15 AM

It's better to get body parts from people who don't need them, like dead people. She better look there first. You are not a meat market. If she can't find another kidney any other way, then it's up to you. I can't really tell you what the right thing to do is, as I don't live your life and know little about it.

It sounds like a tough call, and honestly, I'm surprised if your mom didn't find it a tough call to even ask you. Just remember, you are not morally required to give her your kidney, because she is not morally required to not ask for it. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your self for her if she wasn't willing to sacrifice herself for you. Put obligation aside. You must make this choice based upon a. your emotions reguarding her, and b. what choice your family/friends would let you live with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

It's a start on paying her back for bringing you into this world

"Hey, I gave you those kidneys... I want them back." = Indian Giver

This choice is about what he wants for his mother and himself, there is no moral obligation.

**Jayhawkk** · 03-16-2007, 12:59 PM

There's always a moral obligation when it comes to parents and children. Unless there's some kind of reasoning to not do something then there is a driving feeling to do the right thing for them.

**Ikaika** · 03-16-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegeto

You are not a meat market.

I dunno man, have you seen him?

I keed I keed.

03-06-2007, 12:06 AM	#2
Blap Blaow IronMass Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 959 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 31	Hypothetical? Just at her __________________ Blapmungous™

03-06-2007, 12:07 AM	#3
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	Well, if you're on good terms with your mom and she needs it because of illness and not because of abuse of certain things then I would say jump on it. It's a start on paying her back for bringing you into this world j/k just make sure whatever the reason it isn't something genetic that could affect you later on causing you to be in the same situation. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

03-06-2007, 12:07 AM	#4
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 8,042 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 162	Not hypothetical... she needs to know by the 19th __________________

03-06-2007, 12:13 AM	#6
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	That's a lot of stress bro and I feel for ya because I come from a family with a LOT of diabetes. Is she overweight by a good bit? I'm curious because the only way she should be burning kidneys is by using insulin to control her blood sugar on improper dieting...Not trying to insult your mom at all but in my case that was the cause. Eating a lot of sweets and using larges amounts of insulin to bring down the sugar was killing her. They believe it was this type of way of controlling her diabetes that caused her Alzheimers __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

03-06-2007, 12:42 AM	#7
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 8,042 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 162	Dude my mom eats almost as healthy as we all here do. When I started losing weight and changing lifestyle she did too... but she NEVER ate sweets. She has been a diabetic for over 50 years at this point, and unfortunately there is no escaping the toll it takes on your body. My mom has constantly been in and out of surgery all of my life for everything from broken bones to eye surgery to kidney surgery, to having precancerous cells removed. I had her going to a senior's exercise class but now she broke her toe again. Point blank she is very good about her diet, but yes she is severely overweight. Despite the increased exercise and the good diet she really doesn't lose much of anything. SHe is lethargic because of her kidney problems, and she is on steroids because of her kidney transplant. Her blood sugar generally runs high, but she gets light headed and numb if it drops to 80ish, which is considered a healthy range __________________

03-05-2007, 11:56 PM	#1
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 8,042 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 162	Donating a Kidney... My mom just asked me if I would give her a kidney... I'm kinda freaked and don't know what to think or do.... ?? Help? __________________

03-06-2007, 06:06 AM	#11
DJohnson IMPC Contestant Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 964 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	Why does she need to know by the 19th? I'm no expert, but does it not make much more sense to go on the donor list and as the ultimate last resort when her kidney fails (don't you have like a week after it does?). Then of course if she needs it and there are no donors from car accidents or whatever then give one of yours. I mean giving a kidney is pretty safe nowdays, but better someone who doesn't need it anymore, namely dead donors. __________________ Age: 21 Height: 5'10.5" Mar, 2001: 135lbs @ ~14% Nov, 2004: 245lbs @ ~40% Feb, 2006: 188lbs @ 20.1% - Hydrostatic Tested Dec, 2006: 168lbs @ 5.5% - 7 Point Caliper Tested BULKING FOR A LONG TIME NOW Long Term Goal: Over 200lbs @ 8%

03-16-2007, 12:59 PM	#16
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	There's always a moral obligation when it comes to parents and children. Unless there's some kind of reasoning to not do something then there is a driving feeling to do the right thing for them. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!