@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)?

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!

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!