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.

As a kidney donor, you have been on a remarkable journey.
Living donors, just like recipients, must take time to recover from their surgery. A recent development in the federal government may allow more people to donate organs without having to put their jobs at risk.

I would like to share this recent Newsfeed Article in the Transplant Pages: New Federal Law for Living Donors
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed/new-federal-law-for-living-donors/

How was your return to your job after your surgery handled? - You are invited to add your comments on the Transplant Pages.

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I am a donor.
i donated my kidney on 17-4-2019.
my overall health is ok.
i returned to sport but with 60-70% of previous effort.
i feel tired some days
my creatinine is elevated but within the range for a person with one kidney

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before accepting you as a donor you go through different steps. once this step is ok you go to the next one.

blood grouping and kidney ultrasound

blood tests : KFT / FBS/ etc - blood pressure assessment

ECG/ ECO / MRI for the kidny

HLA / Ag-Ab reaction.

Once everything is ok an appointment is set for the operation.

Best of luck.

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I haven't been able to reply to posts by using the reply button under people's individual posts on my laptop or phone, it just has the circle of doom.
I can only reply by using the box at the end of all the posts. Anyone else have this problem?

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@mauraacro, It just happened to me, too. I thouight it might be due to the cable workers in our neighborhood. I am going to ask @colleenyoung to look into this. Thanks for the alert.

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@sameeh123 Congratulations on donating, it pretty amazing isn't it?
A doctor told me the bodies can't tell the difference between kinds of trauma. A car accident or a planned surgery (even if it's a life saving one) are both trauma to your body and it gets to work repairing and replacing what it needs. That can be exhausting.
I remember being tired easily for a few months, I think some of it was my body healing and some of it was my mind. Having someone take one of your organs out and put it into someone else's body to save their life is a lot to think about, even after the fact!
It could also be that at my age and on limited physical activity for a month or so, it takes a bit longer to get back up to speed.

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@mauraacro

I haven't been able to reply to posts by using the reply button under people's individual posts on my laptop or phone, it just has the circle of doom.
I can only reply by using the box at the end of all the posts. Anyone else have this problem?

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@mauraacro, Good news! Reply should be working-

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what a great group . thanks all for your support and kindness . all the love and respect for donors and recipients

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@mauraacro

Thanks for the advice. One of the many great parts of this for me will be some much needed downtime, I think I'll aim for a few "spa days", I'll bring all of those trial sized masks & lotions I never use!

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Additionally, shops such as Marshall's and Kohl's,along with Wal-Mart, are a short drive out Broadway. Downtown shops (although there aren't a lot) are practically at Mayo's door.

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