>>My dad has diabetes his kidneys are one of the big problem areas. He was just told by his doctor he will probably
>need to go on dialysis within two years. He is too old to have much chance of getting a transplant.
>
>Up here they can't deny a kidney transplant based soley on age because of a court challenge. Though with advanced years comes ill health which means that the chances of the person being healthy enough for a transplant operation drops. BTW, sorry to hear that.


Thanks (to Jim as well). I don't know what the legalities are in the U.S. but he is personally uncomfortable about taking a kidney away from someone younger who is in need. He is 74 and has other health problems besides the laboring kidneys. Health tip -- don't ever get diabetes! ;-( It can screw up your body in countless ways. He has had big problems with his eyes (fears going blind) and some with the ticker. When I said I would give him one of my kidneys one of the reasons he turned me down flat was that his kidneys are just the tip of the iceberg. He isn't fatalistic or mopey about it. He does what the flotilla of doctors tell him to, if grudgingly. I think he would be happy with 5 more decent years.

He called the other day to say he wants to take the extended family on a cruise next Christmas. He said he wants to go on a nice trip with his family before he's tied to a frigging machine (end quote).