KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DONOR - PERHAPS?

Gina has been on dialysis for 2 years. Gina dialyzes at an FMC (Fresenius) dialysis center in New Jersey. She profiles as 68 years old, married, extremely active. A devout Christian, she is a member of a pretty popular Gospel singing group.

About a year ago, Tracey, a member of the singing group offered to be a kidney donor to Gina, without solicitation. This was a complete joy to Gina, her family and friends as it gave her a new lease on life. After the routine testing scenarios, Gina turned out to be a match and the transplantation was scheduled at Beth Israel Hospital in West Orange, New Jersey. During Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) physicians discovered a coronary situation that required a stent, so the kidney transplantation was postponed.

The attempt to re-schedule met with problems when Tracey's employer deemed it too costly and inconvenient to find another temporary replacement for her. After a few months, Tracey and Gina retested with excellent results. But the day before surgery Tracey lost her mother to illness. Tracey was so depressed that she postponed indefinitely. Yet, she would frequently reassure Gina that "...no matter what, I've still got your kidney."

Soon Tracey quit coming to singing rehearsals. Now she neither answers telephone calls nor returns messages. Gina wants to continue her friendship with Tracey whether or not she donates her kidney. She wants to support Tracey in her grief; free Tracey of the commitment.

Is this fear or is this grief on Tracey's part? Kidney donors please respond.