Donating a kidney, flying to Mayo for surgery, any packing tips?

@savvysarahjane, I am taking a break from some holiday preparations, and I am wondering about you. You didn't indicate when your kidney donor surgery would occur, so I want to drop in for a quick, Thinking of you 💐-
I hope that you are doing well, and that your preparations are going smoothly. Will the surgery affect any holiday plans?

What is the all important pillow? I'm getting ready to donate next week.

Hi Kristin, I had my surgery Wednesday. Feel free to ask me anything. My biggest suggestion to you- they offered me a spinal block in anesthesia as a choice. I am SO GRATEFUL I got the block. It made the first two days so much easier. I am having the most discomfort I have had this whole time today and it's due to the gas pains in my shoulder as you've seen other people post. My block has worn off and I have pain around the incision, but to me it's probably only a 3-4/10 on a pain scale. If you have more questions you want from someone fresh off the table, I will make sure to try to check and respond over the next few days. You're amazing to donate, and I have full confidence you got this!! <3

Hi Rosemary! I always enjoy your posts, As a caregiver I wish I had known more about the possibility of organ rejection. It literally threw me for a loop. When you get the go ahead, because you want the transplant so badly, you kind of space that everything might not be perfect, at first. I did my research, that’s for sure, but I ignored the rejection, and concentrated on all the wonderful, good things that were coming! And so they did! And now, as of Oct, we have the complication of a 3mm kidney stone which does not look like it will pass. Due to the shortened, crooked ureter, surgery is required to remove it. Due to the location of the stone, a laser blast is not going to work. However, my husband has a consult Jan 26. Hopefully we can have the tests done here in Las Vegas and a video conference rather than fly in and out of Scottsdale! Every day is a new day!
I regret not taking time for me, too, as I crashed and burned 9 months post transplant. I have learned from that too. I am no good to anyone else if I don’t take some time for me, without guilt. My husband encourages me to do what makes me happy. Now, if we could kick Covid in the teeth, we can all carry on!
Best wishes to everyone entering this stage of your journeys. It is a gift.

Your journey sounds arduous. Peace and blessings to you and your family.

Thank you. And blessings to you, also! This is the first I've heard of a block option. How long did you feel bloating? Thanks again!

Thank you. Everyone has their own journey. I can do hard things. So can you. Best wishes.

What is the all important pillow? I'm getting ready to donate next week.

The block was put in by the anesthesiologist. My (not a doctor) understanding is that it is similar to an epidural, but they can target your surgical area. This allows them to use less local in the operation itself, and then it will mitigate your pain well past your actual procedure. When you have your pre-op surgical appointment, you could probably ask them/tell them you want to ask the anesthesiologist about getting one.

I am only 2 days post op, and still very bloated, swollen and bruised, though I am finally starting to pass some significant gas (sorry for the TMI). From what I understand I can hope to have a significant improvement from that in the next two days. For my bruising and swelling around my incision the surgeon said it would be a week.

Did anyone tell you to pack a heating pad? Heat has given me relief from the gas pain better than the drugs even. I am SO glad I have mine-and it's due to someone replying to my original post here.

The other thing I had seen in this thread that I planned for and am glad to have is because water is tasting really weird to me, which someone else said they experienced and suggested taking some of those water mix in things (like crystal light or vitamin water) and I am happy to have them.

Hi Rosemary! My surgery was Wednesday and I was just discharged to my hotel today. I can't even begin to speak highly enough of everyone on the transplant team and their attention and care. They are amazing.
I am doing well, though I am discovering the gas pains everyone had mentioned. Not really any way to explain those until you have them first hand, is there? We are staying in Rochester until Tuesday then up to Minneapolis to fly home Wednesday.