1. < Transplants

Any living kidney donors that can share?

Posted by shalanajoy @shalanajoy, Sep 17 3:27pm

I'm seriously considering donating a kidney to a young man who desperately needs one. And I just wanted to get feedback from any other living kidney donors out there. I would like to know how the experience went and what sort of long term differences you may have noticed in your own health if any? I'm a 48 year old woman in over all pretty good health.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

tknall | @tknall | Sep 29 5:25pm
In reply to @rosemarya "@tknall, Thank you for sharing your family journey with kidney transplant, donation, caregiving. You are certainly..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@tknall, Thank you for sharing your family journey with kidney transplant, donation, caregiving. You are certainly blessed to have such an amazing support network. I know that this has taken a lot of communication and coordinatiion - you are to be commended for making this happen.
As a recipient who has taken tacrolimus as one of my antrejection medications for 15 years, I want to let your husband know that the hand trembles will diminish over time.

Tknall, as a living donor, is there any advice or 'wisdom' by experience that you would share with someone who is considering living kidney donation?

Jump to this post

Hello!
Thank you for the positive report on hand tremors. I passed it on to my husband and it gave him hope!
Regarding my experience when considering becoming a donor, I am 68 and based on my health history, felt confident I would not have to deal with CKD in my future so didn't worry about having only one kidney. For a younger person, with fewer years of medical history, I imagine this would be a consideration. I wanted to help my husband and keep him off dialysis, but I took a lot of time researching the risks, speaking with other donors, and making certain the decision was mine alone. I felt zero pressure to be a living donor.
We are now approaching 9 weeks post surgery and the focus has been entirely on healing and regaining stamina. I lead a healthy and active lifestyle and, except for tiring after a busy day, feel great.
As a last piece of advice, if you have children, bring them into the conversation. My husband and I were going to have serious surgeries on the same day and that can be frightening for the family. I feel they appreciated having a voice in the process.
Coincidentally, my very good friend's daughter, who is 38, donated a kidney one week after my surgery. Her young children made it a celebration and were so proud of their mom. She and her husband did a great job of reassuring them and making the entire experience a positive one.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.