Transplant or Dialysis?

[MdGuy]

I know that a kidney transplant is no minor surgery. But for my Fiance Karen, the risk double's with Having Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It's whether or not the disease will "automatically" attack the donor as a foreign object? I don't know if I'd rather see Karen on Dialysis or take the chance of a transplant? I've tried to read up about this but I don't know if I want to pay mind to statistic's that might not be true.
I can read what I want but this is a big step in Karen's illness. This is not like trying another medication. This is a life decision for her and she want's the transplant if possible. I happen to worry more then she does. Karen doesn't seem to sweat the inbetweens and just takes what life offers her and I can relate to that. I just don't want the wrong decision to cause her any harm. I don't know what to think about this situation but I know that Karen always seems to make the right ones and I hope the luck stays with her!
I probably could answer my own question but it's one that has been bugging me since I found out that Karen needs dialysis and a transplant.
Thanks for reading,
GuyS~

[getlife]

MdGuy,

This is a major decision.  It will take Karen's healthcare team to determine what options Karen will be able to use.  Be encouraged there are many patients that I know that have lupus and are transplanted.  Hopefully I can get one of them to respond to this thread.  

It's wonderful that you are so involved in Karen's care.  Getting informed and being an advocate is applauding.  It will definitely help her on this journey.  

I also know why Karen just takes what life offers.  I was diagnosed at age 11, started dialysis at 15,  I am now 46.  When I was a child I just accepted, maybe because I didn't remember what normal was.  As the years past, I have learned that those who get informed, and educated on the disease, how much better that do. You can't change what is, you have to keep moving forward.  

Know this, over the years, I have seen a huge change in the care for CKD patients, for the better.  I am thankful I lived this long.

Getlife

[MdGuy]

Thank you for those are encouraging words getlife.    I think I'm the the that's supposed to do the worrying cause Karen doesn't seem to ask her doctor's question's like mine. I guess Karen has enough confidence in her doctor's and enough faith in god to understand and except. And it "Has" to be true that the people who stay on top of their disease usually results in positive outcomes. Karen and I actually support each others illness. Since I have major depression, she helps me by being an inspiration with her strong will power towards her illness. I get to be around someone who is fighting an illness they can not do anything about and like you said, she accepts it and doesn't complain. I'm so glad that they have come a long way with CKD and Lupus. But I believe that if I can get more information between doctor's visits, I can offer benificial support to Karen with crucial medical information which comes best with personal experince. And that's why I'm so glad to be a part of support groups. There is so much we can share, learn and offer one another to make for betters lives. Thanks for shedding a new positve light on my worries about this getlife.
Best wishes,
MdGuy~(That's what Karen's mom calls me for taking care of her) lol

[Angie]

These articles may be of interest to you Guy:

Kidney transplants generally safe for lupus patients
http://www.physorg.com/news176403638.html

Kidney transplants not dangerous for lupus patients
http://blog.taragana.com/health/2009/11/01/kidney-transplants-not-dangerous-for-lupus-patients-14749/

The outcome of renal transplantation among systemic lupus erythematosus patients
http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/22/12/3623

Outcome of renal transplantation in systemic lupus erythematosus
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9287386