The Realities of Living With a Transplanted Kidney: A Qualitative Study

Background: The life with a transplanted organ is different from that before transplantation and is associated with unknown factors. Understanding and acceptance of real experiences as well as training and planning to manage them can reduce stress and anxiety. Because there is no study about it, this study was conducted to explore experiences of these patients. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore realities about living with a transplanted kidney. Patients and Methods: In this qualitative study, 10 patients with transplanted kidney were selected by purposive sampling from a list of transplant recipients in two referral and specialized hospitals in Mashhad and Ahvaz cities, Iran, in 2014. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and field note, which were analyzed according to content analysis method. Results: four main categories with 10 subcategories emerged as follows: perception of conditional life (health dependence on the maintenance of the transplanted kidney and continuation of life dependence on the consumption of medications), persistence of problems (necessity of medicine consumption, necessity to follow a dietary regime, transplant rejection, constant stress, necessity to be followed up for treatment, and marriage-related issues), being different (being different from before transplantation and from others), and change in attitude towards life (transplantation as a rebirth and feeling of relief). Conclusions: The results showed that although transplantation can make a positive change in the lives of patients with chronic kidney disease, it leads to emergence of factors that if understood and correctly addressed, can lead to a realistic look at the new treatment.