Roberta Morris
Kidney Transplant Fund

Medical Update

Medical Flash
As of May 8, 2001, after nearly a year-and-a-half of grueling medical and dental testing and treatment, Roberta has completed all medical requirements and has officially been put on the transplant waiting list. She will now wear a beeper and be on-call 24 hours a day to be prepared to go into surgery as soon as compatible organs become available.

See the National Kidney Foundation link to learn more about organ donation!
See future Medical Flash Updates for brief updates on Roberta's situation.

In January 2000, Roberta was referred by her doctor to a kidney specialist, who first gave her the news that her kidneys were failing, and that she would need a kidney transplant within 2-5 years.

In the months that have followed, Roberta has had many medical appointments, they will continue to be a necessary part of her routine. Her doctors are keeping a close eye on the decline of her kidney function, which is happening more rapidly than expected, and are now saying that she will need a transplant within 1-2 years. Because of this rapid decline, Roberta's blood sugars are difficult to maintain at a proper level, which has led at times to dangerously low blood sugar and numerous severe diabetic reactions.

Roberta was assigned a transplant coordinator, the person who will be working with her team of doctors and who will be the direct contact for Roberta and her family. The coordinator acts also as a counselor, who is there to address questions and make sure that the transplant process is understood. Through her coordinator Roberta took part in a kidney transplant class at OHSU in June in order to prepare for the extensive procedure.

Initially, a family kidney donor was considered as an option. However, after much consideration and discussion with her doctors and transplant coordinator, Roberta has decided to test for a simultaneous kidney and pancreas (SPK) transplant. The pancreas gland may be taken only from non-living donors, so living family members are not eligible candidates.

It is the pancreas gland that secretes insulin and maintains proper blood sugar levels in non-diabetic people. Insulin-dependent diabetics must inject insulin in order to perform the job of the malfunctioning pancreas. If Roberta were able to have a pancreas transplant, and if it is successful, she would still formally be diabetic, but would no longer be insulin-dependent, which would be much easier on her new kidney.

Now her doctors must determine if Roberta is eligible as an SPK or kidney transplant candidate. In August she spent two full days at OHSU undergoing intensive bone density and blood testing, ultrasounds, X-rays and EKGs, and receiving immunizations, TB tests, and a complete head to toe physical examination. These tests were followed by social service and nutritionist consultations.

In addition to the medical tests that are taking place, Roberta must also have any current medical conditions attended to before being put on the transplant list. After transplant, an organ recipient must be on immuno-suppressant drugs for the rest of their life so that their body does not reject the foreign organ. These drugs leave the patient at high risk, since they no longer have the immune system to fight bacteria or disease. For this reason it is imperative that existing medical conditions are taken care of before surgery.

Roberta must pass the physical examinations and have medical work and diabetes-related dental work done in order to get on the transplant list. Once on the list, she will have to wait possibly 12-18 months for a matching donor's organs to become available. She may have to go on kidney dialysis if the organs are not available in time. Once a matching kidney and pancreas become available, she will undergo a 10-12 hour long double transplant surgery, and will be laid up for up to three months after the surgery. For the rest of her life she will be on medication to help her body accept the new kidney and pancreas, and will have to endure the negative side effects of the medication.

Roberta has a long road ahead of her, please show her your support by sending messages to larpam@aracnet.com The medical fund that has been set up in her name will help pay for the rapidly mounting medical expenses which are covered only partially by insurance.

for questions or information, please email
larpam@aracnet.com