When you are preparing to receive or donate a new organ, there is a lot of health testing that go along with it. Every medical facility handles these tests slightly differently or in a different order. My testing with Banner Health in Phoenix was very different to my testing through UCSF in California. For example, I did all of my tests in one day, at one facility for Banner Health. For UCSF, I was able to reuse some of those tests and I others I had to take through referrals of my nephrologist.
Here is a list of the tests I remember doing:
- Chest XRay
- Dental XRay
- Echocardiogram
- Pap Smear (for women)
- EKG
- 24 Hour urine collection
- Lots of blood work, which included a tuberculosis test
The possible donor has to do all of these tests as well, maybe more or maybe less. More on that after March 2nd...
During these process, you also speak with a lot of different medical professionals. My day of meetings, in Phoenix, included a dietitian, a nurse, a social worker, a psychologist, a surgeon plus a few med students, and a case worker/coordinator. It is a lot of information to take in and can be a bit overwhelming. I did not have someone with me during my tests in Phoenix, so I highly recommend bringing a support person and a good snack.
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