A graft`s lifetime..

[Per]

Louise.

First. I think for a graft that has lasted so long without problems it will last very long. The reason I posted this here was general interrest, since I read about this in another KC forum. I must admit I thought about it before posting since we have users of the forum that has experienced rejections and this may worry them unneccesarily.

Second: If you suffer from this kind of mental contition it is important to recieve proper treatment for that as well as for the eye. Especially if you consider lasik-treatment in the future.

Good luck to you. Hope you get to worry less about both things in the future.

Take care!

[Louise Pembroke]

I think you were right to post it Per, I know it's worrying but we have to face all possible scenarios don't we, the best and the worst. I don't know about anyone else but I find it easier to cope if I have information as much as possible [even the hard stuff]. You were right, anyhow it's information that people are likely to come across eventually and at least if it's here we can talk with each other.
I've learnt that learning to live with mental distress with peer support is better than anything psychiatry has to offer which is typically drugs and little else, I know what you're saying though, both things need support which is fair enough.

[rosemary johnson]

Hallo Louise,
Dunno if this will help ...
Last year I met someone who had a graft that was 40 years old, and showed no signs of packing up.
In her other eye she had a graft that was only a few years younger and was also still going strong.
SOme people can be lucky.
I hope you'll follow suite.
If I remember rightly, her name's Veronica.
(Dunno if she's here, but if so: Hi!)
Fell free to tell your voices about her if that would help.

I'm a member of a group for women with disabilities, and from some of the reports from members in the group newsletter, I can believe all too well what you say about the mental health system.
Unfortunately.
I'm glad you had a better experience with the Eye Hospital.
Rosemary

[Louise Pembroke]

Thanks Rosemary, that's exactly what I needed to hear. I needed to know there are grafts much older than mine, and yes that will be useful ammunition in relation to my voices, thanks a lot.
Yep, the mental health system is not in a good way and the draft Bill could matters much worse, gives activists a lot of work...

[Anne Klepacz]

Louise
If you need more ammunition, have a look at the Conference 2001 bit on the main website and Professor Buckley's talk - in particular his reply to the first question in the q&a session where he talks about a graft lasting a lifetime. Graft failures a very rare (I know that's not much comfort to the couple of people on the forum who have experienced them). I think Rosemary's lady may hold the record, but I certainly know someone with a 30 yr old graft. Mine are 20 and 18 yrs old, and I'm hoping to take them to the grave with me (but not for another 30 yrs or so!)
Anne

[Louise Pembroke]

Thanks Anne, will do that, this all helps a lot. I guess we put 'already second hand' on our donor cards then!

[GarethB]

Along side that;

2 careful owners from new.