What is the Living Donor Process Like?

@ek101085 I hope your evaluation goes well. What a loving time for you and your sister. I think it's wonderful when people are so giving and take it upon themselves to do that for someone. You and your sister will always have an incredible bond.
JK

@ek101085, I just returned from Mayo Rochester from my annual post transplant evaluation. I want to wish you a successful evaluation and assure you that my experience with the Mayo Rochester Kidney transplant dept has been outstanding. In fact every test that you will have scheduled is handled in a professional manner and always patient centered. You are going to be in a good place in any of the Mayo campuses.
Are you going to be in Rochester? If you are traveling from a distance, be sure to check out the Gift of Life Transplant House. Here is information about the transplant housing at all 3 Mayo locations.- Transplant Hospitality Houses - A Home Away From Home
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/transplant-hospitality-houses-a-home-away-from-home/
If you have any questions about your evaluation, let me know and i will do my best to help you or to connect you with a member who can help you.

@marvinjsturing,You and your sister have 2 very good dates for your scheduled evaluations - June 5 is my son's birthday, and June 21 is my wedding anniversary. I hope all will will point in your favor. I know that you have been dedicated to getting to this point ion your transplant journey. If there is anything that I can do to help you prepare or answer any questions or concerns, just let me know and I will try to connect you with another member with experience, or share a link.

I think I remember that you are headed to Rochester. I encourage you ans sister to look into the Gift of Life Transplant House. https://gift-of-life.org/

@rosemarya June 5 is special to me for another reason. It is the anniversary of my Whipple procedure. When we came to Rochester in August for my initial kidney transplant evaluation, we were too busy to stop at Gift of Life. When we came in December for my PET scan for my cancer, my wife and I toured the Gift of Life House. We are hoping they will have a room available for us when I get my transplant. As a donor, are my sister and her husband eligible to stay at the Gift of Life?

@marvinjsturing, The Gift of Life House is for transplant recipient and a caregiver; and for donor and caregiver. So that would be 2 separate bed/bathrooms, and community living areas. You have to see it to believe it! The moment you walk in the door there is a feeling of hope and peace. You are both eligible to stay there during the evaluation as well as the transplant time, and anytime you go to Rochester for follow-ups. Why don't you call them ahead of time to get more specific details? https://gift-of-life.org/

Thank you.

Thank you for this information. I am touring it tomorrow in preparation for my surgery on July 23rd

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my living donor transplant in Rochester. Rochester is so beautiful in the summer.
I will keep you in my prayers. Let the count down begin!!!!

@ek101085 I'm sending positive thoughts and encouragement for your evaluation.
To me, it was harder than the actual donation! I made a paper copy of my schedule and used it for notes like, eat between 730-8, may have sips of water until 9, ask nurse about ___. The Mayo app was very helpful for when appointments were added or moved -they will be. The intake/receptionists are invaluable for scheduling questions and they may be able to call ahead if you're running late (or early).
Even though the days are long and both physically and emotionally taxing, it was an amazing experience. All of these tests are for you and your well being! You will know more about your medical history than the average person which is a huge gift. Mayo wants to make sure you are healthy and prepared and doesn't want to take unnecessary risks with your future and will treat you like a hero.

When they call it kidney boot camp, they mean it! The experience is unforgettable! I was told by my Doctor they will advocate for my candidacy at the conference this coming up week so I guess I passed! So many thoughts and emotions...not to mention how anxious i am for that call! You guys are wonderful for cheering in my corner. It's very heartwarming to have support from people you've never met but cam relate to what you're going through. And for that i am extremely grateful!