Transplant Digest
Fall 2023 / Winter 2024 Issue No. 35
Kidney Transplant at 87! Jennifer Meriam Jayoma-Austria, RN, How do you react when you get a referral for an 85 year old for kidney transplant assessment? In the early 2000’s most of the patients who were referred for assessment to get on the provincial kidney transplant waitlist were in their 50’s and 60’s. Over time, I have noticed that a lot of patients with advanced age are being referred for kidney transplant assessment. In the last 10 years, I have been getting referrals for patients who are in their early 70’s and mid 70’s. In the last 5 years, I have been getting patients who are in their late 70’s and early 80’s. I am often asked if age is an exclusion factor for kidney transplant. My answer has always been the same. Our program does not exclude patients based on their age. It is the overall medical condition that could prevent the person from getting on the list or getting a transplant. When I received the referral for Mr. Tauro, I checked his date of birth twice to ensure I got it right. Then, I wondered if he was healthy enough and willing to undergo a major surgery at his age. It was in July 2020, when Mr. Walter Tauro was assessed at SMH Kidney transplant program. As part of his assessment, he needed clearance from a cardiologist and a hematologist. I had the pleasure of speaking to his cardiologist who said, “I am amazed how you are transplanting nowadays. He’s good for surgery”. The last obstacle was a hematology clearance for which he needed a bone marrow biopsy. Continued on page 2
Mr. Walter and Mrs. Macrina Tauro
In this issue... •
Kidney Transplant at 87!
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From The Editor’s Desk
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Transplant Tourism
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World Day Against Trafficking In Persons
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CMV Infection In Kidney Transplant Recipients
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Welcome
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Edema After Kidney Transplantation
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Interview with Walter Tauro
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Getting To Your Transplant Clinic Appointment
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Heart Health
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Letter To The Editor
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Returning to Work – What Happens to My Disability Benefits?
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Tribute to a colleague and friend
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Remembering Brian Flood
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Kidney Transplant Symposium 2024
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