A Kidney for Dr. Pickle

09/04/2025

Quick update, today I had to go in for a stress echocardiogram. I have dreaded this test. The times I’ve done them in the past at Banner Hospital, it is a 30-40 minute affair with your heart racing and feeling like you are having a panic attack.

This time I did it at my cardiologist’s office. They gave me the meds while I was sitting up, and my heart raced for about 3 minutes. They got the images via a pet scan camera, not ultrasound, and reversed the meds in about 5 minutes total.

They finished up with handing me a cup of coffee since I fasted for 12 hours prior, and I was done.

The images were beautiful. I reviewed them with the tech since I am used to US imaging, not this Pet scan study. Everything looks perfect.

08/25/2025

Well, I have been very busy over the past few weeks. I guess it is time for an update.

When we left this saga last, Mayo had decided due to
My heart attack on March 14th, they wanted me to wait a full year from that heart attack, and they would approve me for active transplant in April 2026 if my stress echocardiogram and echocardiogram all looked good at that time.

This wasn’t acceptable to me, so I have gotten Mayo Clinic to agree to send me to one of their cardiologists for a consult, and I have gotten insurance approval for that second opinion with Mayo, as they will want their cardiologist to clear me for transplant. I see the head of Mayo cardiology on September 16th.

In the meantime, I met with my current cardiologist last week and explained the issue with him. He notes they never called him or requested a meeting on my condition, but merely reviewed his notes for their decision. He has now written a note to the Mayo transplant team informing them it was not his intent for his decision to be interpreted as a delay for me receiving a transplant. He gives his full consent for me to be removed from blood thinners anytime after September 14th 2025 for transplant services.

I am also undergoing a stress echo and regular echo this Thursday and next Tuesday to provide all the evidence necessary to be placed on the active transplant list which my cardiologist put a rush order on to ensure it was completed before my consult with the Mayo cardiologist.

For 3.5 years I have had to fight doctors to get a kidney. This kind of crap is not something most people would do, but instead just sit around for 6 months as the doctors recommend.

There is no need for this BS. I am seriously considering being a private advocate for hire after this is all over. Let me use my medical knowledge to advocate for others who are tired of dealing with this BS. You sign papers for
Me to be your medical advocate, and i go in, review your records, and ensure the doctors are doing their maximum effort and offering you all Your medical choices. I spend time educating you and your family about your options, and then ensure the doctors carry out those wishes.

08/05/2025

Wanting to donate a Kidney, but concerned about the financial impact? Don’t be. Not only does my insurance cover all of your testing and medical assessments to become a living donor, but there are organizations that will assist with your cost of living needs, your travel costs, and much more. You can get more information at www.livingdonorassistance.org or MayoClinic staff will organize it through their process.

There are people that will help you with your needs.

08/04/2025

Are you still curious about kidney transplant process? The best place to get information is always at the hospital where the recipient is listed. MayoClinic.org in my case, but there are many other places you can get information from.

Third party nonprofits like the National Kidney Foundation offer information that is helpful, but generic, and they can’t offer information about what you will experience, as they don’t know the facility you will be donating at, or their procedures. They do vary some.

The National organ donation system is run by UNOS. (United Network for Organ Sharing) and they have a division called OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network).

They offer a free patient services line where you can get more information about Organ Donation, the policies around transplant, and much more. Their patient services line is 1-888-894-6361 and is available 24/7.

They can’t access my medical records, waiting list status, or other personal health information, but it is true information delivered from the source.

Mayo Clinic is the No. 1 hospital in the world., with campuses in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota

07/31/2025

I hate posting things like this. The whole process feels yucky to me, but I would like to live a few more years if someone could give me an assist.

Winter is coming, come on out to Arizona for an all expenses paid vacation, and donate a kidney while you are here!

I just underwent the actual kidney donation surgery about 2 months ago when they did a radical right nephrectomy on me to remove a cancerous tumor on my kidney. I am happy to share my experience with it. It is also well documented on my page here.

One of these two will get your organs. You decide.

07/30/2025

Someone asked me today what is the best non profit to donate to for kidney disease. The answer is simple, and I won’t bad mouth the others, but I have stories, but the American Kidney Fund is the one to donate to. https://www.kidneyfund.org/

They provide kidney disease patients with funds to pay their insurance premiums so they can maintain care. They helped me maintain my Cobra insurance from my past employer for as long as possible, and they cover my Medicare premium currently. Without them, I wouldn’t have the ability to even have a transplant or even cover my dialysis expenses. They are a real frontline organizat

1 in 7 Americans are living with kidney disease, but most don't know it. The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is the only organization that takes a comprehensive approach to ending this devastating illness.

07/30/2025

Here we are again I am desparately seeking a living kidney donor. Most of my immediate friends and family have seen this request many times in the past 3.5 years. I am asking that you share this post far and wide to find someone who might have not seen this to come forward and inquire. Please share. It only takes a few seconds, but it would mean the world to me.

New potential donors, you now can go to mayoclinic.org/livingdonor, and complete their Arizona health screening form, and they will reach out and discuss living donation. There is no cost to you to be tested as a potential donor. My insurance covers all the expenses, including your travel and lodging if you need to come out to Arizona for the transplant procedure, but Mayo does everything possible to make it convenient for you to get the testing and donation done at the closest location to you.

07/29/2025

Well, I might as well update everyone. This was a post I don’t want to make. Mayo Clinic has reviewed my case, and has accepted me for transplant on the inactive list. They will not put Me on the active list until April 2026 as long as my heart studies are acceptable.

When I had my heart attack in March 2025, I was told by the cardiologist and the transplant coordinator that after 6 months of platelet thinners, I would be safe to be temporarily off them for the transplant. Now they have decided a full year is better.

I still have some leverage to get that changed potentially, but I just discovered today that my living donor just failed his kidney function test, and he is no longer a candidate to be a donor. 😞

This leaves me back at square one. I am looking for a living donor again, and I am looking at atleast another 6 months of someone testing to determine if they are even a potential match to be a donor.

I don’t know if I can do this much longer. It’s been 3.5 years. It will be four before I even possibly qualify for a transplant. I know God has a plan for all of us, but receiving a kidney apparently is not in the plans for me.

07/26/2025

I get two days off from Dialysis a week. I try to make the most of those days. Wednesdays I burry my full day into work to keep projects and things moving. And Saturday I like to go and do something to exercise and relax. Well, my current blood pressure is 84/61. I have zero energy and just want to sleep. I guess my free day isn’t going to be what I had planned. 😞

07/18/2025

MayoClinic is providing a free class this Monday for
Anyone who is interested in possibly becoming a living donor whether for me, or someone else, this is an excellentent course from an excellent hospital to learn a little more about kidney donation. Tjere is zero obligationtjon. Just something to consider if you want to learn more.

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You are scheduled for the Living Donor Transplant Virtual Education Class. The class takes place using the Zoom application. The purpose of this class is to educate you, your caregiver, and any potential donors on living donor transplant. Please share the link below with any friends or family that would like be a part of this process with you.


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07/10/2025

Ok, I know this post isn’t about my renal failure, but life isn’t always about me. Jo’s Diner and Pizzeria is a great little place in Maine that is owned by a college friend of mine.

This post about Charlie really touched me. Could y’all take a moment to click on this post, and wish Charlie a Happy Birthday? I’d love to see birthday wishes from all over the country to this little guy!

Jo's would like to give a huge shout out to this sharp dressed little man, Charlie and the rest of his family looking great too!
Charlie is turning seven on Sunday and his special request was to wear his fancy clothes and enjoy a pizza at Jo's while watching the fish!
We not only wanted to say happy 7th birthday to Charlie but thank you so much for picking us to celebrate your birthday with! Hope you have a wonderful birthday weekend and year!