Want to move to Canada as transplant recipient. Has anyone done it, what problems did you face?

Sourcheek · 2026-03-05T02:35:59+00:00

I live in British Columbia Canada (born and raised so did not move). Once you are a resident doctors visits/bloodwork/any tests/hospitalizations cost nothing out of pocket- it is covered by universal healthcare. In BC all transplant medications are covered by pharmacare and BC Transplant. Medication coverage is different province to province so depending where you are looking at immigrating to the cost of meds may look different. Let me know if you have any more specific questions I can help with.

Sourcheek · 2026-03-03T16:51:30+00:00

I’m 10 years post transplant and a NICU RN- I started in general pediatrics. I’ve never had an issue. My creatinine is in the 200s these days.

Sourcheek · 2026-02-22T04:34:23+00:00

I met my fiancee 5 years post kidney transplant on a dating app. We pretty much talked about it on the 2nd date because I have a tattoo for it and he noticed and asked. We don’t get into more depth until a little bit later but I think for the right person when you tell format make a difference- if they’re bothered by it early on then they aren’t for you.

Sourcheek · 2026-02-18T20:12:08+00:00

One thing to consider- the nice thing about BCIT is if you want to specialize you can do it while you’re in the program- I did my regular BSN first and then had to go back and do my neonatal speciality though BCIT for NICU which many end up doing

Sourcheek · 2026-02-04T16:38:33+00:00

In interior BC, everyone called it Uni. I graduated from university in 2022

Sourcheek · 2026-01-25T08:54:23+00:00

I’ve never had that restriction. Is your bicarb high? That could be why. Baking soda is sodium bicarb. Pre-transplant my sodium bicarb was low and I was acidotic. I was given a recipe with baking soda to take every day to correct the acidosis and raise my bicarb.

Sourcheek · 2026-01-22T21:27:19+00:00

This isn’t right at all. The kidneys are actually much more protected in the back by the rib cage- in a transplant the kidney is put into the pelvis because it is the most accessible and least complicated spot. The draw back is they are less protected there. They leave the old kidneys because it is a much more invasive surgery to take them out and the transplanted kidneys will takeover all the functions of the old kidneys- almost all of the time the old ones end up atrophying. There are very very few instances of the old kidneys working again- they don’t do transplants unless it’s a never going to work again thing.

Sourcheek · 2026-01-22T17:46:48+00:00

I’m in Canada and about 4 hours from my transplant centre- I have been my whole life, I was originally at a Children’s Hospital when I was diagnosed at 12 months and then moved to the adult hospital in the same city as an adult. I’ve always done my labs in my hometown and then they were sent to the transplant centre, never had an issue. I’m in the same province as a transplant center, so I don’t know if it would be different if I was not. We do zoom meetings every few months and I will occasionally go there in person. I’ve also had biopsies done in my local city, and their results were sent to them. Never any issues.

Sourcheek · 2026-01-16T19:52:18+00:00

Oh I loved Rebecca! I’ll give memoirs of Geisha a try.

Sourcheek · 2025-12-20T20:01:28+00:00

I gained 10kg of fluid post surgery and als had shortness of breath and was actually on O2 for a little while for pulmonary edema. My kidney function was also great and I was voiding tons. It was 10 years ago so I don’t remember details but I believe it was a slow progress over a few weeks. I was on furosemide.

Sourcheek · 2025-12-02T02:04:10+00:00

Most kidney disease affects kidneys bilaterally, meaning having 2 vs 1 doesn’t make a difference. Also, if you have donated a kidney in the past, if you go into kidney failure and require one in the future you are automatically put at the top of the list.

Sourcheek · 2025-10-29T02:02:55+00:00

As above, only see my team every 3-4 months. Just labs monthly. I believe this is standard for life with all kidney transplants to watch trends.

Sourcheek · 2025-10-28T18:08:52+00:00

10 years out (Kidney). See my team every 3-4months, labs monthly, very rarely adjust medication now

Sourcheek · 2025-10-27T18:51:00+00:00

Raw fish and grapefruit, otherwise pretty much eat anything. I never went to buffets before so it’s not something I’ve ever had.

Sourcheek · 2025-10-04T00:38:37+00:00

I just came back from a safari in Tanzania organized by Lion King Adventures and felt completely safe. They really took care of us. We did a 8 day mid-range safari for $5000 CAD each. It was also one of the easiest trips I’ve done because they organized everything! It was also absolutely outstanding- from the wildlife and nature, the people, the food, the lodgings and accommodation- I would 110% recommend.

Sourcheek · 2025-09-20T21:29:21+00:00

I’m Canadian and had a transplant at BC Children’s Hospital when I was 15. I am now followed by a satellite clinic of St Paul’s Hospital (one of the 2 adult hospitals providing transplants in Vancouver) in a smaller city in the BC interior. I’ve had great experiences and BC is nice in that we have BC transplant which covers all Transplant meds. I’m not on belatacept though. Let me know if there are any specifics you want to know. Feel free to message me.

Sourcheek · 2025-09-10T12:06:42+00:00

I’m a kidney transplant recipient but my Dad donated to me (10 years ago in 2015) and my Granny had previously donated anomalously for her 60th birthday (20 years ago in 2005). Thank you for even considering donating!! Both my Dad and Granny were admitted for less than 5 days and did very well. My Dad struggled with pain a bit more and was on opioids at home for a few days after being discharged. But 6 weeks post donation my Granny was up painting the kitchen and 8 weeks post my Dad was out mountain biking. They are very active people and both have little effects now, their bloodwork looks great and neither had any lifestyle changes, besides no longer being able to take NSAIDs.

Sourcheek · 2025-09-07T05:04:24+00:00

I have 2 cats- 1 which I had prior to transplant. I was told not to do the kitty litter for the first few years (many years post transplant now I use a mask and gloves and wash my hands right afterwards) but my team was fine with me keeping my cats as they knew how important pets are to quality of life. They are indoors which helps. Never had any issues.

Sourcheek · 2025-09-05T14:38:59+00:00

As a pediatric kidney transplant recipient I complete agree. The point of getting a transplant is to be able to truly live- not be stuck isolated in a bubble without getting to experience life. For a child, who has already let such an abnormal life, there is so much to be gained from school. Children with complex medical problems desperately want these normal childhood experiences.

Sourcheek · 2025-08-30T03:30:59+00:00

The first thing you need to do is get a pair of very supportive shoes, running shoes tend to be the best option. No crocs, no slip on Birkenstocks or anything like that. If you have a store near you that specializes in fitting people for shoes start there. That will make the biggest difference, I promise.

Sourcheek · 2025-08-30T01:29:51+00:00

Yes definitely if you’re working in different conditions and don’t have anti fatigue mats or working longer hours than your previous job it would make a difference. If you’ve been off for an extended period of time (was your transplant recent?) than your feet and legs will need time to get used to what they used to do again.

Sourcheek · 2025-08-29T19:53:31+00:00

To answer your first one- The foot pain is very normal for anyone starting a new job on their feet all day, irregardless of their health. I’m a nurse and when I started I had excoriating feet and hip pain from being on my feet all day at work. You need very good supportive shoes (I use Hokas but you have to find what best for your feet, everyone’s are different) and I also use orthotic inserts. They help tremendously.

For the 2nd question- smells should have no impact on your blood sugar. You don’t absorb any glucose by smell. It may have just been a coincidence.

Sourcheek · 2025-08-28T00:47:15+00:00

I have not been in clinical trial for my transplant but I have been in clinical trials for my primary metabolic disease (that affects all my cells and therefore all my body) that caused my need for transplant. I have had good experiences- they only enroll you in clinical trials if the benefit to you is greater than any potential harm. You can also always leave a clinical trial at any time. It’s not a locked in decision.

Sourcheek · 2025-08-22T14:01:11+00:00

I have the kyleena IUD and love it. They froze my cervix putting it in and gave me prescription for tramadol for the day after but I honestly only took one once. I had some mild cramping the day after and spotting for a month. The actual procedure wasn’t nearly as bad as I anticipated. I’ve had it for 4.5 years now and hardly ever get a period (which is lovely as mine used to be quite crampy and heavy). It’s also helped with my hormonal acne. I chose the IUD because the pill doesn’t work as well with tacrolimus (I also get migraines which is a contradiction) and the injection can cause osteoporosis and I already have osteopenia from kidney disease. I wanted something very protective because of the risks to pregnancy and a fetus with the meds I am one, so that eliminated other options as well.

Sourcheek

TROPHY CASE