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Is it possible to carry the characteristics of a living donor?

Posted by sec1205 @sec1205, May 18, 2023

Is it possible to carry the characteristics of a living donor? We share dna do we also share personality traits?

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sec1205 | @sec1205 | May 21, 2023
In reply to @rosemarya "I don't know if not wanting food for 5 months is normal or not. Normal is..." + (show)
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I don't know if not wanting food for 5 months is normal or not. Normal is an individual thing. I wanted food after my transplant! I had been on a restrictive diet due to acute kidney failure and also having nausea and had lost my sense of taste. I actually was flown to MN out of ICU in KY and arrived with a feeding tube that I didn't know that I had(?). On the first morning after I arrived at Mayo, I recall the doctor asking if I would try to eat if he took out the tube, and I remember saying Yes. So I had to force myself to drink a chocolate or vanilla nutritional drink several times a day. It was awful, and if/when I hesitated, my husband would remind me the the doctor said he would reinsert the feeding tube if I didn't drink them and begin eating. (insert unkind thoughts here). I was in hospital for 2 weeks, and as the nausea improved, I was eating solid food before I was discharged to wait for a transplant.
My potassium is at a normal range, so I don't have any specific food restrictions in place. What is your transplant team saying about you not eating? Have they introduced any guidance for your nutrition? Are you nauseous?

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@rosemarya What an endurance race for you. My weight is staying level so the team doesn't seem concerned. I live on nutritional drinks, my main source of calories. Food doesn't have an appeal to me. I struggle with being malnourished so I take a multi vitamin. I get labs drawn every week because of hemoglobin, rwd, low white blood count. Not sure if thats par for the course. I will talk to my tx coordinator Monday.

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Ginjah320 | @jinja320 | May 21, 2023
In reply to @sec1205 "I sought out the support group for the many non medical questions I had. It's been..." + (show)
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I sought out the support group for the many non medical questions I had.
It's been helpful. I'm very frank and blunt. Sadly, I can come across as rude. New trait to me. I was always the one to keep my mouth shut. But I found this voice, maybe it's from being so sick then getting a new liver. Second chance at life. I basically got a do over. I don't want to screw it up.
Do you eat raw vegetables? Or do they have to be cooked? I'm afraid of food and anything else I put into my mouth. I still wear a mask everywhere. How about you?

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I also use to let things slide because I didnt want to come off as rude. Shortly after my surgery I found myself expressing my feelings more when it came to things and people i didn't like.
I cook my vegetables, steam or grilled. I try to sometimes. I've also learned that your sugar intake is higher when you juice fruits than eating them whole.

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edb1123 | @edb1123 | May 21, 2023
In reply to @sec1205 "@edb1123 I find the topic fascinating. Science hasn't caught up to the question that I know..." + (show)
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@edb1123
I find the topic fascinating. Science hasn't caught up to the question that I know of but if they can clone a sheep???
I've read on google, 😉 things about kidney tx people taking on the characteristics but nothing so far as regards liver tx. My sister/donor and I were not close growing up but are now. I'm in awe of her gift to me and become very emotional around her. She's a quiet person so I've become so as well. I like peace & quiet and calm surroundings. I'm at odds with the physical part too. I was a very active hiker but can't seem to motivate myself to climb mtns. Being only 5 months post tx it coukd be stamina but she hated hiking. So there's that too.
Do you have energy like a 20 year old? Does bone marrow "replace/regenerate " like the liver? Hmm

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I have a lot of energy and still enjoy golfing and pickleball. Not sure about the stamina though - definitely not like a 20-something! Her donor cells have been engrafted into mine and I am producing new cells, so I think it’s a mixture. I’m just very thankful to her for giving me a second chance at life!

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