The oldest kidney transplant in the West

You only have to say "yes", @roz That is, if you are fit enough. Who'd have thought a 75 year-old would have all the necessary bits anyway? They haven't looked at the brain yet......

Anyway, it's not wonderful, as previously mentioned. The worst bit, for sure, has been all the fandango with the admin, most of which has been done by me. Only this week, I had to ask if I should still be taking the antivirals for herpes until Feb. They put me on 3 months worth, back in sept!

@nabob @harryflatters - I have filled in a form to say I'd like to meet the recipient. Why wouldn't I? Much better than giving to a relative, who (a) has sat around for years waiting for it all to happen and (b) might die in spite of everything, which would seriously p*** them off! We're not allowed, obvs, to be paid in any way for this, but it would be nice to be thanked. BTW some people say no because they have children who might need one. Not necessarily a runner, as the 1st hurdle is blood-type matching and if that's not matched, they go no further. I think about 20,000 people are waiting for transplants at the moment, so I wish I could attract more donors. They leave me with the best kidney (sorry, recipient!) and the little thing gets on and grows to take over the missing one's job. Within a certain time - not sure how long - it recoups the loss and just trundles along as if nothing's happened. Amazing. If mine packs up, which is unlikely now, I go to the top of the list for a new one. I should bloody think so! The interesting fact is that mine goes into the new body round about the pelvis, not cabled up to the existing pipework. I guess it's too complicated or something. Some people end up with 4 or 5. One of my co-governors is waiting for new one, having had one in 1979, so he'll be up to 4 if he ever gets one. You could end up with whatever the bag containing all your giblets is called being filled with spare kidneys! Oh - the kidney is not a "spare" as is often said. They both do a sterling job and need each other as a continuous filter for the blood. Not sure if they take it in turns.....

@duchess That's fascinating. I didn't know all that. I have kidney disease so wouldn't be accepted but if be too scared to do it anyway. I think you are very brave dear Duchess.