1. < Transplants

What is the Living Donor Process Like?

Posted by ek101085 @ek101085, Apr 11, 2019

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone is able to shed some light on the process of being a living donor. I had just completed the questionnaire a week ago today for my sister, the day she found out she had been approved for a transplant at the Mayo. We have not heard anything other than her receiving a letter confirming she was approved for transplant The email said I would be contacted within 5 days.. I'm assuming I'm just worrying and being impatient since it has only been a week. Just seeing if there was anyone out that that is able to provide some reassurance in the process. There wasn't anything I answered in the health questionnaire that I would thing would not me allow to be tested..at least I had thought so. Amy info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

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jolinda | @jolinda | May 18, 2019
In reply to @ek101085 "When they call it kidney boot camp, they mean it! The experience is unforgettable! I was..." + (show)
@ek101085

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!

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@ek101085
I am so excited for you and for the person/people who will receive a second chance because of your gift. Those of us who have received an organ donation know just how special it is. Love yourself, be good to yourself, what you are doing is setting in motion a domino effect that will impact thousands of people. Each living donor not only saves the person they donate to but they also allow EVERY person on the waiting list to move up a spot in line. God bless you! You are amazing and selfless. Thank you for letting us share in the joy of your journey.

REPLY
mauraacro | @mauraacro | May 18, 2019
In reply to @ek101085 "When they call it kidney boot camp, they mean it! The experience is unforgettable! I was..." + (show)
@ek101085

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!

Jump to this post

Yay! I'm so excited for you. Isn't it all amazing? I'm still in awe of what can be done.

REPLY
jdc5 | @jdcowle5 | Jun 23, 2019

I am early in the evaluation stage as a live donor for a kidney. I have signed the release authorization. I have a couple of questions as I proceed. Can anyone comment on the blood testing process? Do you send the kit back to mayo for processing? How long does it take to get results. Also, I have seen some conflicting information on returning to work post donating. I have seen as little as two weeks and as many as 6-8. Can anyone speak to returning to work? Thanks in advance for your help.

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3 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 23, 2019
In reply to @jdcowle5 "I am early in the evaluation stage as a live donor for a kidney. I have..." + (show)
@jdcowle5

I am early in the evaluation stage as a live donor for a kidney. I have signed the release authorization. I have a couple of questions as I proceed. Can anyone comment on the blood testing process? Do you send the kit back to mayo for processing? How long does it take to get results. Also, I have seen some conflicting information on returning to work post donating. I have seen as little as two weeks and as many as 6-8. Can anyone speak to returning to work? Thanks in advance for your help.

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@jdcowle5, you ask great questions about live kidney donation as you prepare for donation and are in the early evaluation stages, such as questions about he blood testing process and returning to work post donation. Luckily we've had some kidney donors who are recounted their experiences here on Connect and are always willing to answer questions.

You'll see that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Living Donor Process" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-donor-process/ Click the link to read through past questions and answers.

The following discussions also offer stories and experiences of living donors like @mauraacro and @ek101085
- Kidney transplant: Thinking of becoming a donor https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-3/
- Kidney transplant – The Journey from the Donor's Side https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/

I'm tagging @keggebraaten regarding your specific question about returning the kit back to Mayo for processing. jdcowle, will you be a directed or non-directed donor (if you don't mind my asking)?

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2 replies
mauraacro | @mauraacro | Jun 23, 2019
In reply to @jdcowle5 "I am early in the evaluation stage as a live donor for a kidney. I have..." + (show)
@jdcowle5

I am early in the evaluation stage as a live donor for a kidney. I have signed the release authorization. I have a couple of questions as I proceed. Can anyone comment on the blood testing process? Do you send the kit back to mayo for processing? How long does it take to get results. Also, I have seen some conflicting information on returning to work post donating. I have seen as little as two weeks and as many as 6-8. Can anyone speak to returning to work? Thanks in advance for your help.

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Congratulations on your decision!
Mayo sent me a bloodwork kit with everything I needed for the draw & to ship it back. I took it to my Dr & it was picked up by FedEx for overnight delivery.
I went back to work about a month after my surgery. I feel like I could have gone back sooner but there was a 4 week lifting restriction and my job is very active. I think as is the case with any surgery, things vary from person to person. I do remember the nurse telling me they would rather say 6 weeks and have it be 4 than the other way around.
I had a million questions before my donation so if you think of more, ask away!

REPLY
Kristin Eggebraaten | @keggebraaten | Jun 24, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jdcowle5, you ask great questions about live kidney donation as you prepare for donation and are..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jdcowle5, you ask great questions about live kidney donation as you prepare for donation and are in the early evaluation stages, such as questions about he blood testing process and returning to work post donation. Luckily we've had some kidney donors who are recounted their experiences here on Connect and are always willing to answer questions.

You'll see that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Living Donor Process" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-donor-process/ Click the link to read through past questions and answers.

The following discussions also offer stories and experiences of living donors like @mauraacro and @ek101085
- Kidney transplant: Thinking of becoming a donor https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-3/
- Kidney transplant – The Journey from the Donor's Side https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/

I'm tagging @keggebraaten regarding your specific question about returning the kit back to Mayo for processing. jdcowle, will you be a directed or non-directed donor (if you don't mind my asking)?

Jump to this post

@jdcowle5 - Thank you for considering living donation! As for the kit, there should be instructions inside the kit. Take it to your local lab, they will draw the blood and should ship it back to Mayo Clinic for you. If there are further questions while you are there (or before you go) you can contact our living donor phone line at 866-227-1569. As for your return to work, every patient is a little bit different. If you have a sedentary desk job, you can likely return sooner than someone who has a physical labor job. The average is 3-6 weeks, depending upon your type of work, your recovery, and any issues you may have after surgery. Your nurse coordinator can give you a better estimate once they see you in evaluation. If you have any further questions, let us know. And thanks again for considering donation! - Kristin

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1 reply
ek101085 | @ek101085 | Jun 24, 2019
In reply to @jdcowle5 "I am early in the evaluation stage as a live donor for a kidney. I have..." + (show)
@jdcowle5

I am early in the evaluation stage as a live donor for a kidney. I have signed the release authorization. I have a couple of questions as I proceed. Can anyone comment on the blood testing process? Do you send the kit back to mayo for processing? How long does it take to get results. Also, I have seen some conflicting information on returning to work post donating. I have seen as little as two weeks and as many as 6-8. Can anyone speak to returning to work? Thanks in advance for your help.

Jump to this post

Best of luck to you as you start this journey.

The first blood kit you send back typically takes less than a couple of days for you to see your results. I advise you download the Mayo app on your phone for you to view them. Thos would also allow you to review any results of all future tests and appointments at Mayo. It is very helpful!!

I had went in for my blood kit draw Monday morning. They had kept the package for them to send it out at Noon. I was able to review the test results the next day. Since I am.attemtping to donate for my sister. My care team nurse contacted me that Friday for me to schedule my 3 day eval down at Mayo.

I have completed the full eval and have been approved with contingency- I have to wait for the test results of a genetic test my sister had done a couple months back.

Let me know if you have any questions! I was in your shoes not that long ago!

REPLY
1 reply
jdc5 | @jdcowle5 | Jun 24, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jdcowle5, you ask great questions about live kidney donation as you prepare for donation and are..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jdcowle5, you ask great questions about live kidney donation as you prepare for donation and are in the early evaluation stages, such as questions about he blood testing process and returning to work post donation. Luckily we've had some kidney donors who are recounted their experiences here on Connect and are always willing to answer questions.

You'll see that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Living Donor Process" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-donor-process/ Click the link to read through past questions and answers.

The following discussions also offer stories and experiences of living donors like @mauraacro and @ek101085
- Kidney transplant: Thinking of becoming a donor https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-3/
- Kidney transplant – The Journey from the Donor's Side https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/

I'm tagging @keggebraaten regarding your specific question about returning the kit back to Mayo for processing. jdcowle, will you be a directed or non-directed donor (if you don't mind my asking)?

Jump to this post

Thank you so much. If approved, I will be a directed and if not s blood match, most likely participating in a chain.

REPLY
jdc5 | @jdcowle5 | Jun 24, 2019
In reply to @ek101085 "Best of luck to you as you start this journey. The first blood kit you send..." + (show)
@ek101085

Best of luck to you as you start this journey.

The first blood kit you send back typically takes less than a couple of days for you to see your results. I advise you download the Mayo app on your phone for you to view them. Thos would also allow you to review any results of all future tests and appointments at Mayo. It is very helpful!!

I had went in for my blood kit draw Monday morning. They had kept the package for them to send it out at Noon. I was able to review the test results the next day. Since I am.attemtping to donate for my sister. My care team nurse contacted me that Friday for me to schedule my 3 day eval down at Mayo.

I have completed the full eval and have been approved with contingency- I have to wait for the test results of a genetic test my sister had done a couple months back.

Let me know if you have any questions! I was in your shoes not that long ago!

Jump to this post

Thank you and congratulations! I have not heard back since mid week last week after I signed the authorization. Does Mayo call before sending the blood kit out to you? I know they are helping many!

REPLY
jdc5 | @jdcowle5 | Jun 24, 2019
In reply to @keggebraaten "@jdcowle5 - Thank you for considering living donation! As for the kit, there should be instructions..." + (show)
@keggebraaten

@jdcowle5 - Thank you for considering living donation! As for the kit, there should be instructions inside the kit. Take it to your local lab, they will draw the blood and should ship it back to Mayo Clinic for you. If there are further questions while you are there (or before you go) you can contact our living donor phone line at 866-227-1569. As for your return to work, every patient is a little bit different. If you have a sedentary desk job, you can likely return sooner than someone who has a physical labor job. The average is 3-6 weeks, depending upon your type of work, your recovery, and any issues you may have after surgery. Your nurse coordinator can give you a better estimate once they see you in evaluation. If you have any further questions, let us know. And thanks again for considering donation! - Kristin

Jump to this post

Thank you very much! Excited for the journey and hopeful it continues!

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