Donating my kidney: Any tips? What do you wish you'd known?

Thanks, Rosemary! I will stay in touch. All of you inspire me.

@tasher3433, We all inspire each other. Everyone in the transplant world has a unique story. And we all 'get it' when anyone of us has a concern.
I wish Mayo Connect would have been available when I went through my organ failure and my liver and kidney transplant in 2009.

So happy to say my unknown kidney recipient sent me a card and letter today. They are healing each day after the transplant in May. Prior to the transplant they were on dialysis and unable to work for the last 3 1/2 years.

@danhoe Tammi, This is a lifetime moment for you! I am so happy that you have heard from your recipient, and that they are doing well.

Was this a complete surprise? or did you get a call from transplant team that it was coming?

Ooh! Tammi! How wonderful! As you have touched their lives, so too will they touch other lives! This makes me smile out loud! On our end, things continue to improve, spirits are high, and we have heard from others, of an age, that 75 year olds will in all probability take 14 months For full recovery. This encourages us to njoy what comes with each new day. Stay healthy❤️

Rosemary, I told them all along I would love to hear how the person is doing in whatever form the recipient felt comfortable. I provided all my information. The recipient seems to be a private person and didn't convey much information but I felt so blessed to find out he or she is healing. I called my transplant team today and let them know the great news.

Glad to hear things are healing on your family's end too. I was able to hike a bit down a trail in the Grand Canyon a few weeks ago. I turned back part way down the trail so I wouldn't tire out too much but I was proud to accomplish what I did. Hopefully you get a break from caregiving once in awhile.

The Grand Canyon is magnificent from every angle! My breaks are in spurts and I enjoy every one of them😊

@danhoe Wow, how wonderful! I'm glad your recipient reached out to you. It really validates your gift, doesn't it? The world of donation will have two new advocates - both you and your recipient - to spread the word of gifting organs! And, happy to hear you are recovering well, that hike was surely a reward for you.
Ginger

you are a great lady God bless you