And since his surgery last spring, Bandit has also needed about $80 worth of anti-rejection drugs each month.
"Why waste money on a kidney transplant if you're not going to pay for the anti-rejection drug?"
But three weeks after she began taking the anti-rejection drugs, the infection recurred.
He does not give patients anti-rejection drugs because of expense and toxicity.
Every other patient gets anti-rejection drugs, to see if they are necessary.
Most continue to take very small doses of anti-rejection drugs just to be safe, he said.
Patients will be given anti-rejection drugs, and antibiotics to prevent infection.
Another factor is the ability to pay for anti-rejection drugs.
Some of the cells may succumb to the anti-rejection drugs.
Both are reported to be doing well, but will have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives.