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What is the Living Donor Process Like?
Transplants | Last Active: Aug 9, 2021 | Replies (119)Comment receiving replies
@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)?
Replies to "@jdcowle5, you ask great questions about live kidney donation as you prepare for donation and are..."
Thank you so much. If approved, I will be a directed and if not s blood match, most likely participating in a chain.
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@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