It's getting real... found a living donor

@2gallonhabit, Welcome Back to Connect with this wonderful update!
The words that you have shared, " I'm grateful. I'm excited. I'm anxious. I'm scared. I feel like I've lost control..." are a perfect description of what it is like to get a transplant, to get a new life! I did not have a living donor as you, but I could have written these same words that you wrote!

I can remember what my liver transplant surgeon, Dr. Heimbach, said to me when I first met her at Mayo, Rochester and told her that I was scared and afraid of surgery. She said , "I will take care of everything, you just have to show up." She was right! 2gallonhabit, you are at the Mayo Clinic and you will just need to do what your doctors tell you, and 'show up'.

Does your friend, the donor, live nearby? Where will you have your transplant?

Thank you so much @rosemarya ! I'm trying to not let things overwhelm me (I have quite the list I "think" I need to get done to be "ready") but today's it's just getting the better of me.

I actually moved to Rochester last fall, thinking I'd have couple of years to settle in before transplant. Regardless, having a home base here will make recovery and follow-up appointments so much easier. My living donor/friend lives in one of the western Minneapolis suburbs. We haven't discussed where she'll be recovering yet, but I'm guessing she'll be staying with her niece's family just outside of Rochester.

And while the approval process took a while, she's still my Xmas miracle (attached is what I posted on Facebook, asking for a living donor).

How long ago were you transplanted? Was there anything you wish you knew/had prepared for prior to surgery?

Thanks again and have a great weekend.

I have one recommendation that I don’t think I’ve seen here. Maybe it was just me, but after my kidney transplant, I couldn’t wear my underwear - they were too tight on my sore abdomen! My husband had to run to the store to get me some granny panties. Luckily I brought draw string pants so I didn’t have to go around in just the granny panties. Maybe this was just me, but it was something I hadn’t thought of at all. Good luck and God bless. You’ll be in the best hands!

@2gallonhabit, I celebrated my 13th transplant anniversary in April! My transplant was in 2009. Reading your posts and remembering, makes me wonder where the time has gone! Life is good!
I was diagnosed with a progressive liver disease, and for 8 years I knew that a liver transplant was a possibility. But nothing prepared me for the flood of fear and emotions that surfaced when my gastroenterologist said that I was ready to be referred to the liver transplant center in Kentucky. I was listed for a liver transplant, but as my disease progressed, my health failed, my kidneys went into acute failure, and I was flown to Mayo Rochester from ICU in critical condition. I immediately felt safe at Mayo because they were experts in my disease. They were able to stabilize my condition, and I was listed for a liver and kidney transplant. Three weeks after my simultaneous liver and kidney transplant, we returned home to central Kentucky. My husband and I lived at the Gift of Life House during those 11 weeks.
We arrived in Rochester with one small bag that my husband was allowed to carry on the medical transport plane. Fortunately, we had already taken care of all of the legal necessities early in my health journey.

My journey is one of many. I want to share some links for you because they will introduce you to what others have also shared. As Connect member, you can reply or comment anywhere. If you want to direct a comment/question to a particular individual, just use their @name.

Donating a kidney, flying to Mayo for surgery, any packing tips?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/donating-a-kidney-flying-to-mayo-for-surgery-any-packing-tips/

Waiting for the Call: What needs to get done at home before you go?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/waiting-for-the-call-what-needs-to-get-done-at-home-before-you-go/

Packing question: What did you have ready for "the call"?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/packing-question/

Here is a discussion for your donor:
Kidney transplant - The Journey from the Donor's Side
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/

How often will you be checked or seen by your Mayo team?

@2gallonhabit I couldn't help but feel your excitement! The never-ending maze is worth it. Rest each night, knowing you have the best care waiting for you, and a real-live angel in your donor! It would be great if you take a bit of time each day or so, and write down what you are feeling and experiencing, In the future, going back over a journal of this adventure [which it really is!] will be eye-opening.

My husband was given a kidney transplant on 10/1/2016. "Kermit the Kidney" has been a blessing, allowing him to do more of the things he wanted in retirement.

Doing a happy dance for you!
Ginger

@mollyv OMG! I was just thinking about that! I've never been admitted to a hospital before so I have no idea about clothes. Ignorant question but do you have to wear one of those hospital gowns all the time? Can I wear my own PJs? A sweatshirt? I'm guessing they'll have me getting up afterwards to start moving/walking around. Do I bring my slippers? Thanks so much! I'll be adding "granny panties" to my shopping list 🙂

@rosemarya Oh my goodness! What a transplant journey you've had! I can't imagine being away from home for 11 weeks. I love the Gift of Life house and would definitely have been staying there had I not moved to Rochester.

And THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for the links to the posts. I'll admit that I'm feeling a bit adrift right now, trying to figure out what to expect. You've helped a lot. I find it interesting that Mayo doesn't have some kind of compiled literature on what to expect. Maybe they do? But I missed it?

@2gallonhabit You will be in a hospital gown the whole time you’re in the hospital. It’s much easier for everything from exams to personal care. Slippers are a good idea, but not completely needed as you will get a pair of socks with sticky soles. I used the robes they provided in case I got any muck on them. I spent the first day in bed, but then they like to get you up to move around, take a walk, sit in a chair, etc., to help with the healing and getting your strength back. The first couple of days were pretty much a fog because of the drugs for the pain. Stay on top of them and take them regularly. Bring a very comfortable outfit for the trip home. We stayed in Rochester for a month after the transplant as was recommended. I had a hard time focusing on reading, so I watched a lot of tv and slept through most of it. Give yourself time to heal. You’ll be in the best of hands!!

My husband had a kidney transplant just over a year ago at Mayo Jacksonville and everyone we dealt with was wonderful so you in great hands.

I think there are two things that have really stuck with me, the first by his APRN - think of the surgery like a college graduation it's the start of a new journey as there will always be a lot of med's and follow-up - but it's totally worth it. The 2nd I got from sitting around the waiting rooms with other transplant folk, don't panic if you end up back in the hospital, it's just a blip.

I donated my kidney to my husband and his egfr is currently running in the mid to upper 60's which is wonderful and every time I see his numbers I am so proud that my kidney is absolutely rocking it. Seeing him everyday looking happy and healthy makes me so thankful, and for me the surgery was a breeze.

The only tips I have are stock up on healthy snacks, stock the freezer before surgery so you don't have to do too much post. Sleep when you can as for 3-4 weeks post surgery your going to have lots of appointments and some of them early before you take your morning meds so be kind to yourself. I also have one notebook that I use for his meds (I have a 2nd that I take to all appointments with his vitals, list of meds and notes of anything we are told to do or change). I number each bottle and then in the book I list the meds and how many of each pills he takes e.g. #2 cellcept 250 mg - 750 mg 3 pills AM PM and then each time I refill I write #2 on that bottle, it's a double check for when I am refilling his weekly pill box as there are a lot of pills. A year in it's easy but those first couple of months it can be a little overwhelming. Mayo pharmacy is absolutely the best.

Good luck with your surgery.

Having received a kidney from my wife at Mayo Phoenix some 9 years ago, I understand your joy. I characterized it as “changing the battery”. Be disciplined about the meds, get in shape, and welcome back to “real life”