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.

beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 22, 2018

@mauraacro Thank you for the link. I checked it out & even though I fall into the category to be qualified I'm to late for next week's lodging. The application must be processed no later than 10 days before the trip. I didn't even get my itinerary in time for that deadline. One of my upcoming 20 appointments (which I uncategorized all as tests) is with a financial advisor so hopefully we can get the paperwork done in time for the surgery date.

REPLY
beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @beckyjohnson "Im so excited due to the new donor kidney transplant coordinator & my conversation earlier today...." + (show)
@beckyjohnson

Im so excited due to the new donor kidney transplant coordinator & my conversation earlier today. She asked questions that needed more clarification from the initial application. I'm also required to have a current colonoscopy, pelvic exam/ pap smear and mammogram. She is sending a blood pressure cuff to be worn continuously for a designated period of time (24 hrs I think). She also working on scheduling 3 days of appointments to include a lot of bloodwork, stress test, echocardiogram & much more that I cannot recall. I will also be meeting her in person along with counselor, donor advocate, surgery team, financial consultant & dietician to name a few. We are aiming for the last week of this month. Yea! A final thought as an altruistic donor it is very possible I will not get to meet my kidney recipient. For me this is a downside that I had already decided to accept thanks to this Mayo Connect discussion.

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@mauraacro I'm truly so glad you started this discussion & are leading the way in a sense. Again thank you for those tips - especially "if you're running late because of their schedule, ask them to call the next appointment to let them know".

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jodeej | @jodeej | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @beckyjohnson "Im so excited due to the new donor kidney transplant coordinator & my conversation earlier today...." + (show)
@beckyjohnson

Im so excited due to the new donor kidney transplant coordinator & my conversation earlier today. She asked questions that needed more clarification from the initial application. I'm also required to have a current colonoscopy, pelvic exam/ pap smear and mammogram. She is sending a blood pressure cuff to be worn continuously for a designated period of time (24 hrs I think). She also working on scheduling 3 days of appointments to include a lot of bloodwork, stress test, echocardiogram & much more that I cannot recall. I will also be meeting her in person along with counselor, donor advocate, surgery team, financial consultant & dietician to name a few. We are aiming for the last week of this month. Yea! A final thought as an altruistic donor it is very possible I will not get to meet my kidney recipient. For me this is a downside that I had already decided to accept thanks to this Mayo Connect discussion.

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@mauraacro we've had to do that twice this trip!

REPLY
jodeej | @jodeej | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @beckyjohnson "Im so excited due to the new donor kidney transplant coordinator & my conversation earlier today...." + (show)
@beckyjohnson

Im so excited due to the new donor kidney transplant coordinator & my conversation earlier today. She asked questions that needed more clarification from the initial application. I'm also required to have a current colonoscopy, pelvic exam/ pap smear and mammogram. She is sending a blood pressure cuff to be worn continuously for a designated period of time (24 hrs I think). She also working on scheduling 3 days of appointments to include a lot of bloodwork, stress test, echocardiogram & much more that I cannot recall. I will also be meeting her in person along with counselor, donor advocate, surgery team, financial consultant & dietician to name a few. We are aiming for the last week of this month. Yea! A final thought as an altruistic donor it is very possible I will not get to meet my kidney recipient. For me this is a downside that I had already decided to accept thanks to this Mayo Connect discussion.

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@beckyjohnson when my husband was listed last year we had 23 in 4. Thankfully it was the week of the 4th, so we head a rest day in the middle. It's exhausting aft the time, but great to have it all done in one trip. The only tips I'll add is bring a jacket and wear walking shoes. Some of the offices can be cold and you'll put on lots of steps.
Blessings,
JoDee

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @cleverusername "Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor..." + (show)
@cleverusername

Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor (directed) and I'm trying to connect with folks who have gone through the donation process. Phoenix AZ Mayo specifically.

The Mayo staff have all been excellent during this process, however I found very little opportunity to talk with other donors (or recipients) who have already undergone their procedures. And I'd like very much to do that.

So, I'll be catching up on a lot of threads here but I'd appreciate any help from this thread re: pointing me towards someone I could talk to about their experiences. I think some direct communication would help me immensely. Thanks in advance.

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@cleverusername, I want to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am happy that you have found this discussion group. You are speaking to our members who are donor "experts".
I am a liver/kidney recipient (2009) and speaking as a recipient, I thank you for the decision that you have made about testing to be a potential donor. I assure you that organ donation works! I am behind on my replies right now because I have been unplugged, and enjoying some great hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains in NC and TN - Thanks to my wonderful organ donor. My donor was a deceased anonymous donor, but I give thanks and honor him daily.

Take your time reading thru the many discussions on Connect. I would like to suggest that you might read thru any of the discussions in Transplant, and there are some in the Kidney and Bladder groups. Let me know if I can help you find anything.

Here is the link to the Connect Pages where there are materials for transplant recipients as well as living donors. No matter where you are in your transplant journey, I believe you will find some useful information - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/

I look forward to learning about the living donor process right along with you.
Rosemary

REPLY
triciaodonnell | @triciaodonnell | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @cleverusername "Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor..." + (show)
@cleverusername

Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor (directed) and I'm trying to connect with folks who have gone through the donation process. Phoenix AZ Mayo specifically.

The Mayo staff have all been excellent during this process, however I found very little opportunity to talk with other donors (or recipients) who have already undergone their procedures. And I'd like very much to do that.

So, I'll be catching up on a lot of threads here but I'd appreciate any help from this thread re: pointing me towards someone I could talk to about their experiences. I think some direct communication would help me immensely. Thanks in advance.

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Thanks so much! Surgery Tuesday!

REPLY
mauraacro | @mauraacro | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @cleverusername "Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor..." + (show)
@cleverusername

Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor (directed) and I'm trying to connect with folks who have gone through the donation process. Phoenix AZ Mayo specifically.

The Mayo staff have all been excellent during this process, however I found very little opportunity to talk with other donors (or recipients) who have already undergone their procedures. And I'd like very much to do that.

So, I'll be catching up on a lot of threads here but I'd appreciate any help from this thread re: pointing me towards someone I could talk to about their experiences. I think some direct communication would help me immensely. Thanks in advance.

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@triciaodonnell That's great! How are you feeling?

REPLY
triciaodonnell | @triciaodonnell | Jun 22, 2018
In reply to @cleverusername "Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor..." + (show)
@cleverusername

Hello all. I'm catching up on this thread as I've just been accepted as a donor (directed) and I'm trying to connect with folks who have gone through the donation process. Phoenix AZ Mayo specifically.

The Mayo staff have all been excellent during this process, however I found very little opportunity to talk with other donors (or recipients) who have already undergone their procedures. And I'd like very much to do that.

So, I'll be catching up on a lot of threads here but I'd appreciate any help from this thread re: pointing me towards someone I could talk to about their experiences. I think some direct communication would help me immensely. Thanks in advance.

Jump to this post

I’m feeling great! Husband (recipient) very tired and sometimes swollen ankles. We are ready to go!

REPLY
mauraacro | @mauraacro | Jun 22, 2018

@triciaodonnell I'm so excited for both of you, wonderful things are happening

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 22, 2018

@triciaodonnell, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am happy that you have shared this exciting event.
I send prayers for both you and your husband as the surgeries become a reality. I wish the very best outcome for your husband, and a smooth comfortable recovery for both of you.
Hugs,
Rosemary

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