I'm new to this website. I hope I can be helpful.

[EchoMax1012]

I donated a kidney in Feb, 2016. I'd be happy to answer questions related to the donation process, with the caveat that every experience is likely to have its own unique characteristics.

[vegiedonor]

Having been three years since your hospital adventure what do you most reflect upon and what have you found to be the most important message you could give?

[EchoMax1012 in reply to vegiedonor]

Great question. Like most things in life, there are many positives, but a few negatives as well. I will talk in detail about this, so feel free to be bored and disinterested after awhile. The biggest negative was that my wife was never totally on board with my donation (it was non-directed, which may be a factor--it might've been easier for her if she knew my recipient). She was worried for my health, both immediately after the surgery and long-term. Truth be told, I have had some health issues which may have been related, but it's hard to know one way or another. The positives include: making a better and stronger commitment to my health, making a decision while recovering from the donation operation that I could retire (I hadn't seriously thought about that before), using my kidney donation as an entry point for my volunteer energy in retirement, being able to be helpful to a few people who are in the process of waiting for a kidney donation (as well as mentors who wish to also be helpful to this population). Maybe the biggest thing will be having the ability in my life as it moves towards the end, to look back at my life and realize I was able to do something very positive for another human being. I hope this is helpful.

[vegiedonor in reply to EchoMax1012]

Wow, Thank You for your answer for there's much to think about. Helpful for sure.

[KarenHope in reply to EchoMax1012]

What were the negative health issues whether they were or not related to donating? Hi, EchoMax1012, found the others, :), donors, thanks.

[EchoMax1012 in reply to KarenHope]

I had some 2 cases of cellulitis in my face, which resolved--never had anything like this before or since, and these both occurred after about 2 years of donation. The following January after donation, I had pneumonia, which led to a 5-day hospitalization. At the hospital, the antibiotics they gave me were ineffectual, because I had MRSA, which my wife believed was caused by the kidney operation hospitalization. I've lost some weight since the donation surgery 3.5 years ago (now 126 from 143), but most of this occurred within 8 months of donation, and was more intentional on my part.

[Crocheting-Cricket]

The only thing I'm concerned about is not being able to lift more than 10 lbs. for more than a month! I can understand the first 2 weeks, but did you find that really was an unnecessary requirement?

[EchoMax1012 in reply to Crocheting-Cricket]

Great question, which unfortunately I don't have an answer for. I think it's probably an individual thing--I do not do any heavy lifting on a day to day basis, and my job was a desk job. I think some of the recommendations made by medical people are more to cover themselves in case you aggravate something in your abdomen because you are doing too much. So, you need to balance their caution with how well you know yourself and your capacity.