Donating in 3 weeks!!

[Lsaf24]

Hello! I am donating my kidney to my brother in 3 weeks!! I’m surer excited and can’t wait for him to finally feel better. What advice would you give someone to prepare and what to expect post surgery? Thank you!

[HookedStick]

Great news. I donated to my son a year ago. Prepare to be generally wiped out and feel tired. As everyone will have told you, it is physically tougher for the donator and then recipient. Don't rush back, recover, take it easy, listen to your body. Everyone is different. Two tips, I found the best way for me to sleep was on my side hugging a thick pillow and don't sneeze! Good luck to both of you.

[Lsaf24 in reply to HookedStick]

Bless you for donating to you son!!! Great tip about the pillow. I have not heard that one yet. I hope you and your son are doing well.

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador]

First of all, congratulations to you both! Wishing the best possible outcomes!

I agree with HookedStick 100% on the physical aspects....everyone is different.

My worst pain was from the gas pumped into my abdomen - not from the surgery incisions. I was pumped with lots and lots of fluids during my donation surgery and was very swollen post -op - sort of a surprise to my visitors - and to me! All that immediate stuff aside, be prepared to urinate frequently.... for about 6 months....things often calm down and finally return to your normal around that time.

HOWEVER, what I was NOT prepared for at all was the WONDERFUL EMOTIONS I felt spending time with my Dad (my recipient) post HIS surgery!! HE FELT SO MUCH BETTER - I FELT AMAZING!

[Lsaf24 in reply to DSKdonor]

What a gift to be able to donate to your dad! I am also very excited for my brother to finally be able to feel better. I have heard a lot about the pain from the gas. What helped relieve it and about how long did it last?

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador in reply to Lsaf24]

Thx! For me, the pain lasted about 2 weeks if I remember correctly. The ONLY thing that I was told that was going to help was to MOVE MOVE and MOVE around. Honestly, these sort of things are ripples in the pond and fade away over time... NOT the things you remember or even focus on. I do, however, understand 100% why you want to know -- being prepared is important for planned surgery!

I would just recommend that you plan to have some help with lifting things like groceries and laundry for at least 6 weeks.... that will be a HUGE help!

[Crocheting-Cricket]

This is great news! I was also incredibly excited to finally be able to give my brother a kidney after waiting 2 years! My best advice is to have an electric heating pad to use because that kept me comfortable. Definitely take the medications prescribed and don’t try to be a super hero by stopping too soon. Walk around when you can. In one and a half weeks post surgery, I drove 400 miles home. In one month, I felt like I hadn’t had surgery at all! But the best part is my brother is like a whole new person. Thanks for doing this!

[Lsaf24 in reply to Crocheting-Cricket]

How amazing to also donate to your brother! A heating pad is a great idea. I’m so happy to hear you had a good recovery and are doing well!

[Kbristow]

first of all, congrats to you both! I would say in addition to everything shared, take lots of photos, even of the most mundane things (your room, the signs, the hallways where you will walk afterwards, of course the notes/cards/ people who are allowed to visit, etc.). You will look back on all the memories of this amazing day, even if you both will be in some pain... Here is also a video of a recipient interviewing her donor about his experience. dorislew.wordpress.com/2018.... And here's a document you may share with the recipient esrdnetworks.org/toolkits/p.... It was created by kidney recipients for other patients going through the kidney transplant process.

[Lsaf24 in reply to Kbristow]

This is amazing!!! I have a notebook that I started documenting everything, but pictures and video is a great idea. Thank you so much!

[Hidden]

That is wonderful of you. Did you know that there were less than 6000 living donations last year? You’ll be in a rare group of very special people. My wife was a donor in a 4 person swap of kidneys last September. This swap afforded me a new kidney. It’s quite awesome!

Sending positive energy your way.

[Lsaf24 in reply to Hidden]

Hi shadowfax! I’m so happy for you and your wife. What a great story. Thank you for sharing.

[Connorsdad1998]

Welcome to the club. The pillow while you sleep is a must. Also, be prepared with loose clothing for the ride home and, if at all possible, have a car with an electronic seat adjuster. You will most likely want to lay back on the ride, but then comes the returning the seat to its upright position, which will be painful without the electronic assist. I learned that one the hard way. Otherwise, walk...a lot. I was home the day after surgery. I walked (well, shuffled more accurately) around the block as much as I felt like and then napped. Each walk felt better than the last and the more I went out, the faster I seemed to feel better.

Be prepared to have changes to your urination patterns. You will process fluids a little slower, so you may feel like you have to go 30 minutes after you just went. You'll get used to it and start to get closer to normal as your lone kidney starts working a little harder.

Congrats on being able to help out your brother. Wishing you both the best!

[Lsaf24 in reply to Connorsdad1998]

Thank you Connorsdad! Awesome tip about the car seat. I currently walk several miles a day and I am excited to keep it up and be able to get outside more during the day.

[EmmaPeel61]

I am on day 7 post-op and have to say that the weighted heating pad I got has been super helpful! Very comforting in my recovery. Good luck!

[Lsaf24 in reply to EmmaPeel61]

OMG Emma! Congrats to you and happy to hear you are doing well. I will look into a weighted heating pad. Amazing tip! I wish you the best in the rest of your recovery!

[EJDonor]

Awesome! I donated to my younger brother on March 1, 2017 and he is doing great! You will always feel awesome about what you are doing. Try to stay fit and in shape, that will help your recovery.

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[donor1215]

Just stopping in to say congratulations and I hope you and your brother are doing well!