Congratulations! I am so excited for you, it's an amazing experience.
I've heard the expression, there are no dumb questions but I sure had some silly ones (non medical) to occupy my brain the week before I left for surgery. If you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to help.

@onecentwalsh, Thank you for sharing your news!

May God bless you, your medical team, and your future recipient.
Rosemary

@onecentwaish This is so wonderful! I love how the chains impact so many more people. It's great that it can work "around" your work schedule. Again, how did you learn about living donors and what lead you to making such a sacrifice?

I'm in end stage renal disease (I have Polycystic Kidney Disease) and am not quite on the waitlist (probably some time this calendar year) but I do know the challenge of eating low salt. I thought I did it for years but when I joined a study at Mayo I learned there was so much more I could do. The simple things are not salt on your food after it is cooked (my exception is corn on the cob during the season) and I always half the amount of salt a recipe calls for (you don't really notice the difference). Garlic is a great seasoner in place of salt if that pleases your taste buds. Fresh food vs. processed is ideal but If you buy canned food try to find low salt options which are becoming more prevalent. Also, you can drain canned food (i.e. beans, corn) and rinse it to help reduce the salt. Honestly, the hardest time to control salt intake is eating out. I've concluded one reason that restaurant food (fast food or a fancy place) tastes so good is because they use A LOT of salt!

Best of luck! People like you give me hope. THANK YOU!

Thanks so much. I will ask when and if I think of anything!

Thanks for all the info. I began my donation story trying to be a donor for an acquaintance. Her daughter ended up being a match and they have surgery scheduled for may 16th!!!
So, I figured that I had gotten that far, and I felt very called to be donating, so I continued with the process as a non directed donor.

As for eating, I've been a member of weight watchers for fives years, having lost 65 lbs the first two and have maintained my goal weight for three. I eat very well, mostly whole foods, lots of veggies and fruit abd protein. I just have to season with salt less. I use lots of other things too.
Anyways, blessings to you and your health journey. Praying for you.

@onecentwalsh - Congratulations on the weight loss! I lost 46 pounds from June to Dec. 2017 in preparation for a kidney transplant. I maintained my goal for 2.5 months and just started to try to lose again as I want to lose another 30 to have a healthy BMI. Your good changes have allowed you to be a donor so that is an amazing bonus for you and another lucky individual. Many thanks to you for continuing on the donor journey even though your original recipient got an organ from someone else. It would have been so easy for you to be relieved and say you tried to do the right thing and not continue the donor process. Best of luck to your future health, and thank you for your prayers as I believe they work.

@onecentwalsh, I have had you in my thoughts as the school year nears its end. And my experience is thinking end of May. I just realized that you were scheduled for surgery yesterday. I send you my day-late wishes for a successful surgery and healing. I hope you and the recipient are doing well.
When you have recovered and your strength has returned, we invite you to let us know how you are doing.
Blessings to you and spouse.
Rosemary

@rosemarya You are not a day late.... my surgery is scheduled for the 22nd!

@onecentwalsh, I will be offering prayer for you, your recipient, your surgeons.

I was at Mayo a month ago for my annual checkup, and I met (can you believe it!) one of our members who had received a kidney transplant from her daughter the previous week. Both mom and daughter were doing well. It was amazing and a blessing for me to share a special waiting room visit.
When do you report to the transplant clinic? Will you have to have any preliminary labs on the day of the surgery?
Rosemary

@onecentwalsh, I know how busy your last minute packing and travel must be. So I want to send my assurance, now, that I will be sending prayers on Tuesday.
Hugs,
Rosemary