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If it's only one kidney and not both - he'll be fine. You can live a normal life with one kidney. Family members donate one for another all the time... Check out WebMD.com

Hi Kristie - I have had a kidney disease since I was 13 years old. When I was first diagnosed with it, both of my kidneys were failing at a very fast pace. My nephrologist admitted me into the hospital and I was put on prednisode and cytoxin (sp>?). Prednisone is a steroid and cytoxin is a form of chemo (not a strong chemo so my ahir didn't fall out or anythign like that). I was on prednisone for a couple of years and then the cytoxin for a few months (Id be admitted to the hospital a couple of days every month and get the cytoxin). I still have both of my kidneys, I'm not on any medication, and my kidneys are now functioning at 90%. Hope this makes you feel better.

I'm sorry, i hate to be stupid, but when you say on a scale of 1-10, it is a 2, do you mean 1 being slightly bad and 10 being very bad or vice versa? Because if it 2 meaning it is at the lower end of the scale, then he may not be in need of a kidney transplant. There are people who live with decreased kidney function or renal insuffiency and do not have transplants unless the condition worsens. They just have to take care of theirself and stay under close care of a doctor specializing in the kidneys (nephrologist) so they can be monitored. I certainly don't know your dad's condition, so I don't want to give any false information. Like Jas said if it does come to transplant they can have family members of whoever donate a kidney if they match. If needed dialysis can also be done short term, long term, or until there is a donor. Best wishes and wait to see what the specialist says. With all the medical advances there is usually something that can be done.