Husband turns kidney donor for wife without a blood match: How transplants are easier, give another shot at life for those with kidney failure

Donating a kidney doesn’t shorten a donor’s lifespan either. In fact, some studies suggest living kidney donors may even outlive non-donors because of stricter lifestyle discipline post-donation.

The first signs of chronic kidney disease

Trouble started in 2008 when Dr Saroj experienced prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding. An abdominal sonography showed that one of her kidneys had shrunk, the first signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a progressively degenerative condition. However her blood creatinine level — a key indicator of kidney health — was normal at the time (below 1.1 mg/dL). Despite keeping a close watch, her creatinine levels rose gradually, reaching 2.2 mg/dL by 2010. “However, I remained largely asymptomatic and continued with my daily routine without any significant health concerns. From early 2013, my creatinine levels began to rise more rapidly, reaching 6.0 mg/dL. That’s when I first felt fatigue,” says Dr Saroj.

Keeping creatine down

Dr Shah first tried the conventional approach, putting her on a low-protein diet, limited to rice and vegetables. To get essential amino acids, the building blocks of life, without overloading her kidneys, she had to take amino acid supplements everyday in the form of 16 tablets. Despite sticking to the format, Dr Saroj’s creatinine levels kept rising, reaching a dangerous level of 10 mg/dL by December 2013. “My doctor told me dialysis would temporarily manage the symptoms of kidney failure but would not address the underlying problem or fully restore my quality of life. I was told a transplant offered a more sustainable solution and would help me return to a more normal and active life,” she says.

The scientist couple with Dr Bharat Shah

CKD patients are no longer the exception. Around 2.5 lakh people are detected with the condition every year. “This is a lower estimate because many do not register for transplant. There are at least 20,000 patients with CKD who require a kidney transplant. CKD is directly related to the rising number of people with diabetes and hypertension. These two damage the kidneys gradually and people need to be aware of that. In serious cases, transplant is a good option as patients have an improved quality of life after it,” says Dr Shah.

Search for donor

Dr Saroj’s mother was a natural match but her kidneys weren’t functioning optimally and had to be ruled out. The waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor was also long. Dr Surendra volunteered when Dr Shah said that a blood match wasn’t necessary to donate a kidney.

Donating a kidney doesn’t shorten a donor’s lifespan.

Four days before the transplant, Dr Saroj had to undergo plasmapheresis, a process that filters the blood and removes harmful antibodies.“Since the couple’s blood types were different, plasmapheresis before the transplant was essential. The husband’s blood group is A Rh+ve and the wife’s is O Rh+ve, so it was crucial to remove the antibodies against antigen A from her blood before the transplant. This step was vital to reduce the risk of organ rejection,” says Dr Shah. Dr Surendra’s kidney was removed using laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique that reduces recovery time and minimizes post-operative discomfort.

Surviving a transplant

Post-surgery, Dr Shah allowed Dr Saroj to choose the food she wanted most as she had been on a restricted diet for years. “I wanted a glass of milk and never forget its creamy taste,” she says, adding she took measured steps towards normalcy. Hospital stays last about five days with patients needing to remain in intensive care for 24-48 hours. Most kidney recipients can resume a normal life within six to eight weeks, but they must take care not to endanger themselves or contract any infection. The body takes time to adjust to a new kidney and medications and some activities should be restricted initially.

“Post-surgery care is the most important part of recovery and I kept to my room that was sanitised in the first few months,” says Dr Saroj. When she resumed teaching, it was like she had found herself again.

Dr Saroj cherishes her life even more, taking precautions like drinking boiled water and avoiding raw food outside home. Now the couple spreads awareness on transplantation as a solution for CKD and dispels fears around it.

Are your kidneys ok?

Dr Shah says every discussion on lifestyle management for diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure should now include kidneys. “Exercise daily, eat healthy food and avoid taking unnecessary medication. Pill-popping without consulting a doctor damages kidneys the most. Annually, take a basic test to check serum creatinine levels and do an ultrasound of the kidneys. People with diabetes and hypertension should not skip these tests at all,” he adds.

Meanwhile the Ghaskadbis have found that it is never too late to take informed decisions or as Dr Saroj says. “lose faith in the power of love, support and resilience.”