Donating Tomorrow

[Grunya]

Hi, my name is Gruny and tomorrow I'm donating a kidney to my dad. I've been avoiding thinking/feeling and now it's hitting me like a ton of bricks. Would love to get advice/support etc..

[Karen_Isaacson]

Sending a prayer up for you Grunya! Send an update if possible!

[Karen_Isaacson]

What a wonderful and selfless thing you are doing which may actually help to extend his life quite a bit! You will love watching his progress and seeing how much better he feels in a short time. I donated to my close friend a year ago. We are both doing great and I’ve never regretted it.

[marcyc NKF Ambassador NKF Peer Mentor]

I am a living donor as well. Welcome to this exclusive club! I donated to my husband in 2015. I am a RN so knew what to expect from the surgery. It was painful for only 2 days, by day 5 I walked the mall with my sister. There were a wide range of emotions. He had some complications initially and I felt responsible, I wasn't. I also found myself worrying about my own health. This made me take better care of myself. Talk with your donor advocate. Thank you for such a selfless act of love. Check back in with us after. Prayers for you and your father!

[A_Cuozzo]

I donated in 2010. It's natural to feel anxious and nervous. I believe every donor's experience is unique, so it's impossible for any of us to tell you how your recovery will go. Mine was exceptional. I was back to work in 7 days, walking 4 miles on day 4. My advice is to listen to your doctor's orders! I did precisely what I was told, and found it to really help speed my recovery in a safe and manageable way. Drink, drink, drink copious amounts of water, and walk as much as you can. Rest your body well and don't do anything stupid. Monitor your incision and take very good care of that so you don't get an infection. You will do just fine.... toughest part is getting comfortable when you sleep.

[Happydonor]

Best wishes Gruny to your Dad and you. You are doing a wonderful thing. Anxious to hear what you thought of your experience.

[katiw]

Great advice already posted. And I think I'm seeing this too late but stay in touch with the social worker. They are so great in talking through feelings and emotions surrounding this amazing experience. God bless!

[Hidden]

So wonderful that you are doing that! I donated to my husband over a year ago, and I felt as if I was the one who was given a gift. It is a great feeling! Prayers to you and your father, Gruny.

[Sulyn]

Hello Gruny

There is a lot to deal with both emotionally and physically when donating a kidney. My son gave my husband a kidney when he was 24 about 23 years ago. Like you he was feeling anxious before the operation. However, after the operation he recovered well and a year later he ran The New York Marathon! Today he still runs and is married with 3 children. I also gave my husband a kidney 7 years ago ( I was 64) and as you I also had the same feelings. However, after the operation, seeing my husband off dialysis and doing well was a wonderful experience and still is. I wish you and your Dad the best now and afterwards. You are doing a wonderful thing!!!! Hope this has helped.

[marcyc NKF Ambassador NKF Peer Mentor]

How did it go? You ok?

[Grunya]

Hi all, surgery was a success even though it was more complicated and longer than we expected. My dad is doing great his Creatinine levels are TOTALLY normal and he's producing urine etc. he is looking at being discharged today or tomorrow! I'm doing well too. Still very weak/dizzy and in pain. I developed a rash due to some kind of fungal infection but I'm ok. Very emotional lots of mixed up feelings but hopefully will dal with these things the right way and with the right help. It's def a concern for me but I'm pushing myself and will get thru it

[Kdonor]

Tons of great advice here, but yes for sure drink tons of water, walk! It will help with the air in you if you had a laparoscopic. I donated to a friend last year, my recovery took a long time but it was really unusual and I wasn't drinking much water. Best wishes for you and your dad, glad to hear surgery went ok!

[SoniaBrummer]

Grunya! Wow what a gift! So happy for you and your dad. Take all the instructions from your medical team seriously. No short cuts! I donated back in 2009 and I also got really nervous the morning of surgery. Luckily, before you know it, you are on drugs and don't care any more. Talk to the counselors about your emotional rollercoaster - and anyone else you trust. You just did one of the most important things in your life and it is totally normal to have a lot of feelings now (and in the future). The pain will only lessen, you've been through the worse. You got this!!!!

[Imeviesgranny]

Hello Gruny

What a great gift. Hope you're recovering well and that your Dad and his new kidney are going from strength to strength.

I donated a kidney to my husband in January and I can honestly say that after the initial post op recovery I don't feel any different. I'm sure it will be the same for you.

Good luck with it all.

Carolyn