protocol of our crossover kidney transplant in October 2006
(c) author + Photos: Siegfried Aust
This is the story of Chris Steinmeyer (52) and Siegfried Aust (60) and Arno Killisch (68) and Ilse Killisch (62). Two couples from Wuppertal, respectively. have a mountain home that met each other in 2006, and joined to a common crossover project. But first things first:
When my wife Christiane in Summer of 2005 following a chronic renal failure was dialysis, this meant a major setback in both our lives: 3x4, 5 hours per week was hemodialysis ( dialysis ) announced. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Dialysis Center Wuppertal - of course were the days scheduled by it. Fortunately, the weekends were free, and we were able to have most of them in inserem Mobile Home in Elburg on the IJsselmeer.
The Dialyssituation said in our family, friends and acquaintances around very quickly. And because the world is sometimes very small now, I got in late summer 2005 the call of a good friend who had found his center of life in Mallorca. He gave us an appointment with Prof. Dr. Thomas Philipp the Transplant Center at the University Clinic Essen. Since Christiane and I have different blood groups, we understood not at first, as we should be there helping.
was very fast but we are clear, as we explained Prof. Dr. Philipp the crossover model :
The potential kidney donors and recipients are listed in a database , and a so-called. Data bank balance are looking for other couples, which of the blood groups and other genetic parameters ago could fit together. - For me as an old IT professional course that was the solution!
once we have registered our data in these donor-recipient pool. This was the beginning for both of us extensive investigation Marathon. Everything was checked through blood and blood vessels, heart, circulation, internal organs - the kidneys and, of course!
I am so thoroughly been investigated before. But to my (known) Type 2 diabetes, I was fit and healthy, and therefore suitable as kidney donors.
Even my wife, he ran through the full program, just a little more thoroughly what their immune status etc. concerned.
In spring 2006, the investigations were completed so far and our records in the database could be 'running'. After just a few weeks ago came the first reply: HIT! A couple from Bergheim near Cologne had registered themselves. And here it fits: The kidney recipient had my blood type (B +) and his wife the same blood type as my Christiane, namely A +.
Everything was anonymous. They wanted no hopes can germinate, which is looking at other parameters would not then stand up. This resulted in a first Cross-match comparison see (: Crossmatch ). Here are mixed in a Reagenzschale blood samples of donors and recipients together. Grossly simplified: If it had been here already visible lumps or other reactions that would not have seen as intolerant. despite the same blood group kidney donation would not have been possible!
Fortunately, the cross-match was without comparison 
these reactions and we were the other couple
know: Arno and Ilse Killisch in Bergheim near Cologne. Very quickly we were talking to each other and exchanged our first made from experience about living with dialysis. Arno had a home dialysis for 4 1 / 2 years a so. ' peritoneal dialysis ' behind. Daily 5 x 1.5 hours of dialysis, d were self amit short trips through!
We also presented many common interests and fate parallels in our lives runs solid, so that very quickly came to an amicable relationship.
We decided to approach the crossover project together and get through! were in the course of the transplant preparations, we loaded four together before an ethics committee . There we were questioned intensively, when and where have we got to know us, and whether a real (from our Transplantation Act required) ties of friendship there. Since there were no doubts.
"What does it cost for such a donor kidney?" Christiane was once asked by a dialysis neighbor. Of course nothing - because as our legislator knows no mercy: Any organ trade is prohibited and is punishable sensitive electronic equipment.
In the summer of 2006 were met for each of us the conditions for cross-transplantation, and now it was only a convenient time. It was agreed that the transplants take place each year in the hospital of the recipient.
So I had to Arno to the hospital Merheim , and Use in the University Hospital Essen where should Christiane their kidney transplant.
On 10/26/2006 started our operations simultaneously .
It went well, just as we hoped for , and we now look back on already over 12 months with the new kidney.
Our special thanks goes to ...
... Mr Prof.Dr.med. Thomas Philipp food from the University Hospital, and chief physician MD. Oliver Witzke with their medical team, and Ms. Brigitte Schuessler, who has taken care of the transplant office as a secretary for a perfect Organisationsabläuf.
... Mr senior physician Dr. med. W. Arns of hospital Merheim and his Team . Here is the second op was carried out simultaneously with food. Everything worked out excellent, and I could even just after the kidney donation in the University Hospital Essen go where I could spend a week with my wife on a room. - In return Ilse moved from Essen to Merheim to be close to your husband, Arno.
Thanks again for everything!
are now gone now 4 years and the four of us are doing well. We have become friends and not a week goes where we do not call us to satisfy us that the Other also doing well. We often do things together: eating out, Small Desk or a common brewery tour in Cologne. - Now everything is possible!
If any questions to us, the answer involved, have remained open, we like it. Email us at: chr-stm@gmx.de or simply call: 0202-442718
And here's the organ donor card to Download
Just click on it, download it, print it, fill it, to persons and plug
license in Portemonnaye's - done!
You were going to do for a long time - now there are no more excuses!
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