1. < Transplants

Kidney transplant - The Journey from the Donor's Side

Posted by mauraacro @mauraacro, Jan 2, 2018

I'm headed to Rochester on the 10th for surgery on the 12th. I'm excited and nervous! I didn't know the recipient but have gotten to "meet" her and some of her daughters through phone calls and emails.
I've had labs done at my doctor's office and went to Mayo a few weeks ago for a million more tests. My case was presented to the donor board a few days before Christmas and I was approved and notified the same day. It seems like everything took so long and now is going so fast.
I'm interested in hearing from donors but haven't had a lot of luck. It seems like the recipients are the ones who post the most, which gives me some info and reassurance but it would be nice to hear from the other side too.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

onecentwalsh | @onecentwalsh | May 20, 2018
In reply to @onecentwalsh "Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health..." + (show)
@onecentwalsh

Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health wise. I will be donating in may, as I'm a teacher and will be finishing out my spring as to not take too much time off of work for recovery.
They will be now doing their job to find a match and create a, hopefully, long string of paired donations starting with mine! I'm excited and really can't wait to see what God has in store for this process. Will post again as I get closer to surgery.
In the meantime, I'm working on a few diet changes- less salt intake especially!!!

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thanks so much. I have a very good friend who donated seven years ago. She has been a great support and reference for questions!! Thanks for your support

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | May 20, 2018
In reply to @onecentwalsh "Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health..." + (show)
@onecentwalsh

Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health wise. I will be donating in may, as I'm a teacher and will be finishing out my spring as to not take too much time off of work for recovery.
They will be now doing their job to find a match and create a, hopefully, long string of paired donations starting with mine! I'm excited and really can't wait to see what God has in store for this process. Will post again as I get closer to surgery.
In the meantime, I'm working on a few diet changes- less salt intake especially!!!

Jump to this post

@mauraacro, At the top of page there is an envelope icon for private messaging is you need to share personal information.

REPLY
mauraacro | @mauraacro | May 30, 2018
In reply to @onecentwalsh "Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health..." + (show)
@onecentwalsh

Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health wise. I will be donating in may, as I'm a teacher and will be finishing out my spring as to not take too much time off of work for recovery.
They will be now doing their job to find a match and create a, hopefully, long string of paired donations starting with mine! I'm excited and really can't wait to see what God has in store for this process. Will post again as I get closer to surgery.
In the meantime, I'm working on a few diet changes- less salt intake especially!!!

Jump to this post

@onecentwalsh, I've been thinking of you. How are you doing?

REPLY
onecentwalsh | @onecentwalsh | May 30, 2018
In reply to @onecentwalsh "Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health..." + (show)
@onecentwalsh

Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health wise. I will be donating in may, as I'm a teacher and will be finishing out my spring as to not take too much time off of work for recovery.
They will be now doing their job to find a match and create a, hopefully, long string of paired donations starting with mine! I'm excited and really can't wait to see what God has in store for this process. Will post again as I get closer to surgery.
In the meantime, I'm working on a few diet changes- less salt intake especially!!!

Jump to this post

I'm doing great!!!! One week after donor surgery, and I'm taking it easy, but pain free and feeling more like myself every day.
I had surgery at 5am on the 22nd, back in my room by 9am, walking by noon that day. I was released the next evening. Haven't had to take any pain meds, other than Tylenol. Resting when I need to and getting moving more each day.

My kidney went to a recipient in Florida. That's all I know at this point. I heard that it started a chain, but that will reveal itself over time!
I'm just so thankful to have been a part of this for someone else. I imagine that person feeling good today, feeling like there are new opportunities for them. Hopefully my 42 yr old kidney is serving them well. Ha!

If anyone has any questions about the whole process, please feel free to ask. I would love to share from my very positive experience!!!

REPLY
beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | May 30, 2018

I decided to be a donor this week although I've considered it at least 2 yrs. & have done some research. Because I need to do this during the FL primary school year summer break I'm concerned with timely progress. I did the online health questionnaire as well as left a voicemail message yesterday morning stating my intention.
Is donating during this summer break a realistic goal?

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8 replies
Kelly Smith | @kellysmith1215 | May 30, 2018
In reply to @beckyjohnson "I decided to be a donor this week although I've considered it at least 2 yrs...." + (show)
@beckyjohnson

I decided to be a donor this week although I've considered it at least 2 yrs. & have done some research. Because I need to do this during the FL primary school year summer break I'm concerned with timely progress. I did the online health questionnaire as well as left a voicemail message yesterday morning stating my intention.
Is donating during this summer break a realistic goal?

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Becky
Any time is a good time to donate . You will make someone's life change .This is a great selflessness thing that a person can do. Thank you so much & from what I've read & been thru it can be done.

REPLY
Kelly Smith | @kellysmith1215 | May 30, 2018
In reply to @onecentwalsh "Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health..." + (show)
@onecentwalsh

Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health wise. I will be donating in may, as I'm a teacher and will be finishing out my spring as to not take too much time off of work for recovery.
They will be now doing their job to find a match and create a, hopefully, long string of paired donations starting with mine! I'm excited and really can't wait to see what God has in store for this process. Will post again as I get closer to surgery.
In the meantime, I'm working on a few diet changes- less salt intake especially!!!

Jump to this post

Everytime i read about a mew donor it brings tears to my eyes.
Thank you for donating your organ to help someone else.
I would donate if they would let me but i need a kidney.

REPLY
Donna N | @donnan | May 30, 2018
In reply to @onecentwalsh "Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health..." + (show)
@onecentwalsh

Officially accepted as a non directed donor this past Wednesday!!! Everything looks good for me health wise. I will be donating in may, as I'm a teacher and will be finishing out my spring as to not take too much time off of work for recovery.
They will be now doing their job to find a match and create a, hopefully, long string of paired donations starting with mine! I'm excited and really can't wait to see what God has in store for this process. Will post again as I get closer to surgery.
In the meantime, I'm working on a few diet changes- less salt intake especially!!!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much

REPLY
beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | May 30, 2018
In reply to @beckyjohnson "I decided to be a donor this week although I've considered it at least 2 yrs...." + (show)
@beckyjohnson

I decided to be a donor this week although I've considered it at least 2 yrs. & have done some research. Because I need to do this during the FL primary school year summer break I'm concerned with timely progress. I did the online health questionnaire as well as left a voicemail message yesterday morning stating my intention.
Is donating during this summer break a realistic goal?

Jump to this post

Thank you. I spoke with my primary physician about donating my body to science & he spoke to me about becoming a donor via my drivers license. That is when I realized I truly want to meet the recipiant.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | May 30, 2018

Rose Colred Lense
I am blessed with 3 working kidneys each with their own working euretha's so the least I can do is give one of them to some grateful person whose quality of life will be greatly improved for them & their loved ones. Hopefully this in turn will "Pay it Forward" to a long chain of successful transplants.

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