Race Against Time: Mother’s Injury Threatens Kidney Donation to Son
A mother’s selfless act to donate a kidney to her son was thrown into jeopardy when she suffered a serious injury just days before the scheduled transplant. Her dedication to improving her own health to ensure a successful donation almost ended in disaster.
A Fateful Accident
While cycling on a weekend, the woman, in her mid-50s, was involved in an accident. Swerving to avoid another cyclist, she fell heavily, fracturing her femur (thigh bone). The injury was severe, and the pain was intense. The timing couldn’t have been worse: she was scheduled to undergo surgery in a week to donate a kidney to her son.
The Clock is Ticking
The fractured femur presented a significant obstacle. Recovery from such a fracture typically takes several weeks, even months. The thought of delaying or even canceling the transplant was devastating. Desperate, she sought immediate medical attention at a hospital closer to her home, explaining the urgency of her situation and pleading for emergency surgery.
A Difficult Decision
The on-call orthopedic surgeon understood the gravity of the situation. After a thorough consultation with the patient’s daughter, he agreed to perform emergency surgery the following day, a Sunday.
Careful Planning for a Delicate Situation
The surgeon meticulously planned the procedure, considering the patient’s overall health and the upcoming kidney donation. Key factors included:
- The degree of bone healing required
- Pain management strategies
- The patient’s ability to move and rehabilitate after surgery
- The impact of post-operative antibiotics on kidney function
- Blood clotting factors
- The patient’s overall physical strength
Collaboration with a nephrologist was crucial to ensure that all medications used during and after surgery were safe for the donor’s kidneys and wouldn’t compromise the transplant’s success.
A Race Against the Odds
The surgery, performed under local anesthesia, was completed in under an hour. However, the procedure was challenging due to the severity of the fracture and soft tissue damage. The surgeon successfully repaired the broken bone.
Relief and Gratitude
The mother expressed immense relief, explaining that the transplant had been planned for months. Previous attempts were delayed based on medical advice to preserve her own kidney function as long as possible. She worried that the accident would jeopardize both her health and her son’s future. She is expected to be discharged soon and plans to proceed with the kidney donation next month.
The Importance of Organ Donation
The woman’s story highlights the critical need for organ donation. In many countries, the waiting list for kidney transplants is long, and the average wait time can be years. While medical advancements have improved the success rates of kidney transplants, the shortage of available organs remains a significant challenge.
