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

Posted by Tammi @danhoe, May 16, 2020

On Wednesday at 5 am, I report for surgery to donate my left kidney to an unknown person. During this strange time in our world it's time for patience and understanding. Although I have to be dropped off for surgery, I know others will be with me in their hearts. I wonder who will be receiving my kidney? Are they make or female? How old is the recipient? Will it be local or will my kidney travel? I have been so pleased with my team at Mayo handling the donation testing. My nurse, Zach, has been with me since day 1 of testing and keeps me well informed. It's almost surreal that this journey is about to take the biggest step. Any tips or advice are welcome.

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@rosemarya

@tasher3433, Improvement is a beautiful word! I think it is neat that you can se the improvement, and I am quite confident that he feels the daily improvement, too. I know that me and my husband did when I got my transplant.
Your posts are perfect because they are your story, your experience, and no one else has the same identical experience. We are fortunate that the doctors know what to do when any complication happens. The are ready to act immediately, and that is why they keep ordering all those labs! Sometimes it takes a little while to find the right combination of drugs to help the kidney to be happy in its new home.
I know that you are happy to have him home. It has been a long journey for all of you.

I'll be checking on you. Any questions? Ask me anytime.

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

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@tasher3433

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

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@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.

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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.

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@danhoe

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.

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@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?

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@danhoe

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.

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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❤️

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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.

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@tasher3433

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❤️

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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.

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@danhoe

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.

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

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@danhoe

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.

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@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

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you are a great lady God bless you

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