Kidneys and endurance? A connection?

[scotlap]

I don't have the endurance I used to have. Anybody else feel they've lost their edge physically when it comes to endurance sports? Did you used to feel more energetic when you had two kidneys? And are the kidneys somehow involved in helping people with activities requiring endurance?

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador]

Hello! Congratulations on being someone's hero!!

We are the same age. I was 43 when I donated my kidney though. I haven't felt any difference really in my energy levels, other than I'm that much older.

Have you asked your medical team their thoughts?

Best of luck and keep as active as you can.

[scotlap in reply to DSKdonor]

Thanks, and congrats also to you, DSKdonor. I asked my medical team and they weren't very helpful. As for being someone's hero, I tend to think otherwise and realize that maybe, just maybe God gave us two kidneys because He knew we could live with one! To read more of my story, check out: uchealth.org/today/duo-boun...

Thanks for offering your insights, and yes, remaining active is important for body and mental health!! Best always DSKdonor!

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador in reply to scotlap]

Keep on asking around.... perhaps you'll get an answer!I read your story... WOW! Incredible!! Ironically, I live in Northern NJ where the Transplant Games were just held in July (mostly virtually of course!) I volunteered, didn't participate.

LOVE the picture of you and your recipient just prior to surgery - my profile picture on this site was ours just before surgery as well!

You are a hero... like it or not... and you've gone through so much and are still fighting! Keep it up!

[scotlap in reply to DSKdonor]

Only God knows when I'll stop being brought to tears every time people say nice things to me, DSKdonor. Yes, I'll keep on asking and advocating for living organ donation. As for TGA, so glad to hear your were part of the NJ crew for what was actually held. Our Team Rocky Mountain participated in trivia as a group and individually in a few other sports. Jim and I did a 62-mile ride to raise money for the American Transplant Foundation and used that as our cycling entry. Any plans to go to San Diego next summer for TGA if they're actually in-person? Would love to meet (in-person) some day! God bless!

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador in reply to scotlap]

No plans to head to the TGA in San Diego (although we do love that area). Wishing you all the best... if you're ever out east...my name is Debi (dskdonor @ gmail . com)!

[scotlap in reply to DSKdonor]

Thanks, Debi. Where out east do you hail from? I lived in Virginia, New Hampshire, and New York, so I know all about those frigid winters. Anyway, would love to hear more about your donation story, what prompted you to donate, who your recipient is, and he/she is doing, etc.? Thanks for sharing, and of course, when I'm out east (I'll actually be in Fletcher, NC, for a wedding next weekend), an in-person meeting is in order!! Blessings!

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador in reply to scotlap]

Hi Scott - I'm in Northern NJ, just west of NYC. Wishing you a great trip next weekend for a great occasion!

I donated to my Dad in Feb 2007.... think that's just about all you'd need to know about my "story" - pretty simple! My Dad did really well for the first 10 or 11 years - he started out at 70+ yrs old the day of the transplant! We lost him in April 2020 (not to Covid nor to kidney anything)... we believe he must have had a massive stroke or heart attack at home... a surprise to us all - mid afternoon. My Mom was with him when he took his last breath. It was probably the best thing I've ever done and I don't think it could ever be matched! He had a total of 13+ years post transplant to experience more of life, and he certainly did!!

[scotlap in reply to DSKdonor]

My twin brother (and kidney spare) used to live in NJ, was a pilot for American, and flew out of JFK. I loved my time in the Big Apple as a journalist, but that was when I was young and naive and basically living only for self. So glad that God allowed me to finally come to my senses.

Thanks for sharing a bit of your story, and I know your dad was blessed to have a selfless daughter who shared the "gift of life" so that he could live another 13 years. I'm sure you agree that others need to know that there really isn't much of a risk to the donor, and that donors typically live long and healthy and productive lives. Like you're doing!! How wonderful!

So glad that you're a NKF Ambassador, and no doubt your "story" will help others going through this life-changing event! God bless.

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador in reply to scotlap]

awe... thanks so much!

[MAV86]

Hello, what an inspirational story! Just beautiful and so selfless. I donated to my husband in December of 2020. How long has it been since you donated? I get tired more easy these days as well. I think it will take time. I'm told a year by the transplant team. I hope this helps and you get stronger everyday.

[scotlap in reply to MAV86]

Thanks for sharing, and your donation was just eight months ago. How wonderful! My kidney-versay is June 29, having donated in 2017. Maybe my age is catching up to me and I just don't want to accept that I'm closer to 60 than 30 (or 20). But oh, how thankful that I am alive and disability free at this point given my story of TBI and all. Thanks for sharing, and I hope to learn more about your donation story!! God bless!!

[FixitJosh]

Hello Scotland, Congratulations on being a Kidney donor. I believe it is one of the most endearing things I have ever done. I donated on May 4th of this year to my partner. I am doing fine and I felt after about 10 to 12 weeks I was almost back to my old self. I walk about 5 to 10 miles every day mostly. I am enrolled in the North Carolina Blue Ridge to the beach walk. We track our miles either walking or running or biking or anything else. It's a 475 mile walk and I'm at 311 miles right now. It's fun to keep track of where I am in the state to see how far I've walked. I started in Asheville North Carolina and we're walking all the way to the ocean. Of course it's all done at home and virtual oh, but it is a good cause as they're raising a lot of money for people who need food. I do tire a little more easily still but I think that's more because it's hot and humid right now even in the mountains in North Carolina. I think once we get down to the 70s and less humidity I will feel more like my old self. I do try to do push-ups and some upper body weight training as well a couple of days a week and I eat a very low carb diet and I eat a lot of beef. I have been reading about the carnivore diet and it interests me a lot, having gone through a couple of years of doing mostly Keto. I believe the animal protein has really helped me alot. You might check out YouTube videos by Paul saladino or Shawn Baker oh, and they have both written a book on the carnivore diet. Something to think about that may help you get your energy back in terms of diet. My partner would have been on dialysis probably by now and so we feel that this has saved him from a life that wouldn't be fun going to the Alice's 3 days a week. God bless you. I would assume that you will begin to feel more energetic as time goes on. That has been my experience since my donation on May 4th. There is a plaque at Emory University Hospital and it says" you can't live a perfect day until you do something for somebody who will never be able to repay you ". I know that my donation date was one of my perfect days in my life that I will never regret. Take care and enjoy your life to its fullest.

[scotlap in reply to FixitJosh]

Thanks, Josh (hope I figured out your name)! May 4, wow! You're a newbie, but I appreciate your insights and will look at what Paul Saladino and Shawn Baker have to say about the carnivore diet. I'm not much for red meat but I'm big on fish and chicken!

So glad to hear that you're doing well now that it's been almost four months. It's more than four years for me, and my own decline has been in endurance. It could be that at age 58, it's not supposed to be the same as age 38, when I was able to ride my bike for hours and not feel tired at all.

By the way, I lived in Fletcher, NC, for 18 months back in 1999, before heading to graduate school, and my folks and a sister still live there. I'll be visiting Labor Day weekend for a nephew's wedding, so perhaps I could make time for an in-person visit if you're interested. Let me know! While living there I was a nursing assistant at Park Ridge Hospital then rode my bike cross country with a group in 31 days before heading to Colorado for school. A weird and wonderful journey it's been. If you're interested in reading more, check out: uchealth.org/today/duo-boun...

Thanks again for your response. The person I donated a kidney too has also used that phrase you quoted from the plaque from Emory University Hospital, with a slight variation. His says, "You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." That's how I feel about my faith, about my belief in God and the fact that through Jesus, my sins were forgiven and I can live a life now free to love others and to not fear death. Wow, what a way to live!

Anyway, let me know about a meet-up in Asheville next weekend. Thanks for sharing, and God bless!!

Scott

[Dlphnlvr78]

Yes! I am one year post-op and my energy is not where it use to be. My recipient (my brother) has tons more energy now. He is up till midnight (usually in bed at 9) and I’m in bed at ten. However, covid haven’t helped the situation either which could take part in my lack of energy these days. To answer your question I do feel I have less energy post-op but not sure if it’s kidney donation related.