Ok, weird AIBU post and really a question for GPs and medical professionals on Mumsnet
TLDR: would you expect a Gp/medical professional to have a basic understanding that you can live happily with one kidney?
Background. I had a kidney transplant some years ago. I have since had children and am regularly seen by my nephrologist and the team.
The last couple of years (especially with pregnancies) I have had to see my GP/consultant gynaecologists/ anaesthetists etc. My transplant has always come up as part of my medical history. 9 times out of 10 I get asked questions along the lines of
-So which kidney did you have transplanted?
-Which kidney stopped working?
-Which kidney did they replace?
-Which kidney came out?
And many many similar.
Now, I would NOT expect the general population to know this but you can live a pretty normal life with just one healthy kidney. It's not uncommon to be born with just one, to have one removed for some reason etc. If you still have one kidney, then you don't need a transplant. So the answer to all of the above questions is 'eh? Both stopped working??'
I'm afraid I lost my cool a bit today over the phone with a GP who asked me if it was my left or right one that was transplanted? I said, both kidneys failed and that's why I needed a transplant. I was told, no....one of my kidneys would still be working ok, I probably just wasn't told which one they took out and transplanted.... I explained again that they don't remove a kidney when they transplant, they just add the third one in.
The GP then just got a bit frustrated and said he'd check my notes as I obviously wasn't made aware which one. I got a bit angry and said perhaps I should ask Google for help with my question as that seemed more informed than he did. Yes, totally unreasonable of me and I asked to speak to someone else who was infinitely more helpful.
So, as a Doctor or someone in the medical field, would you know that you only have a transplant if both kidneys stop working and if one still does, it negates the need for a transplant in the first place? AIBU to get frustrated with the same constant questions?