Kidney Transplant Associated Costs

My request for assistance is perfectly valid, and I’m happy to respond.

I’m sorry it’s taken me a few days, but I’ve been unwell with my kidneys causing a considerable amount of pain again.

I have Stage 5 Polycystic Kidney Disease. I was diagnosed in 2002 and given the knowledge at that stage that I would be on Dialysis “between 5 to 10 years”. Having suffered multiple trips to hospital with blood leaking out of my kidneys or having to be injected with Ketamine to stop the pains from large kidney stones or cyst explosions, I changed my diet and lifestyle to alleviate the problems.

Yes, I will be accommodated in hospital for the immediate time for surgery, but once discharged, I am required to have daily tests for up to three months, going to the hospital daily. Transport costs. I also still have to retain my accommodation in Tauranga (where the haemodialysis machine is being arranged to be installed), and I have had no information about travel expenses on any of the information brochures, or in discussions with the social workers, and will also have to pay board, and for daily transport for the tests after I leave hospital. It’s a long way from Tauranga to either Hamilton or Auckland..... And then, there’s the issue of immediate transport to Auckland if a kidney becomes available.....

I am also starting the process of having a shunt in my arm next month (May) at Waikato Hospital. I have to get there, and home, and my elderly mother can’t drive. When that shunt has settled, after staying overnight in Hamilton due to not being able to drive so soon after the shunt, I’ll have further hospitalisation to complete the shunt, and learn how to do the haemodialysis, and at that stage, my mother also has to come over to Waikato (Hamilton), to learn about the cleaning processes, and what to look for if anything goes wrong. She is my only support person, and is disabled. While the hospital has said they will pay for her accommodation, they won’t pay for her meals (only mine, and only one of those per day as well), and she’s unable to do much for herself. Her current care agency is arranging care for her with a sister-agency while she’s there, but that won’t cover cooking all her meals. She also can’t travel by public transport, as she needs her wheelchair.

So you see, it’s not as clear and simple as you suggest, when you live a long way from either of the renal units There are considerable expenses not covered by the DHBs, and a lot of those covered are not reimbursed in full, they are causing us a lot of stress, especially for my mother. I have no other option than to appeal for assistance.