I've just started thinking about donating a kidney to my dear niece. I'm grateful to be relatively healthy at 64 years old, but a bit scared, as I have never had a surgery like this. I'd love to hear from other donors about their journeys and maybe how they prepared.
Thank you.
i donated last May at 62. I’m healthy and fit. I was lucky as I have known a couple of people who had donated and was able to hear about their experiences. I was an altruistic donor… donating to a stranger. I was very at peace with my decision. My experience was great…. The medical staff were wonderful and put me at ease. I did experience nausea and lack of appetite for 2.5 weeks, but that is not the norm. The pain/ discomfort during the first few weeks quickly turned into a memory. After 4 weeks I felt as if I never had surgery.
Remember, we all have different experiences. Have a good journey
Thank you, Happydonor, for sharing your experience with me. I've been reading and learning as much as I can, but hearing a personal perspective is priceless.
Hello HopeTo,
I donated my kidney on Sept 7, 2021 to my BFF's sister. I was 57 at the time. I had no complications whatsoever and only a small bit of pain for a few days after the surgery. It was the best decision I ever made.
The primary preparations I made were the people that would help care for me, if necessary, for the first week after surgery. I schedule someone each day depending on their availability. Fortunately, I only needed help for four days and left my sister's home to go back to my home. Additionally, I made sure I had pain relievers that were approved for my now one kidney (i.e., Tylenol) and threw away others like Motrin or any generic form which I was explicitly told not to take.
I wish you well in your decision and for your niece.
SisterSangre, thank you. I've already discussed this with my partner, as she will be my primary care giver, and she's fully supportive. None of us have a crystal ball, but the more I learn, the more comfortable I have become.
Grateful for this supportive community.
Hi Hope To, I donated to my son 18 months ago at the age of 65. I live in Scotland. I’d kept myself fit and healthy prior to the op but once we were given the go ahead for me to donate, I stepped up my fitness regime. I just thought it’d help with the recovery. Our renal teams were brilliant. Very helpful. Everything went smoothly. Yes, few days of pain post op which we managed well with of course the correct painkillers. Once home, I quickly got my steps up daily. Out walking really helped me physically and mentally. For me, it’s positive thinking and more importantly knowing I gave my son a second chance at life. It was an easy decision for me. Life has never been better. I’m sending you my best wishes for your journey and thanking you for saving a life 😊👏
Thank you, SophieSkye, for sharing your experience with me. It's so encouraging to hear from others who have been through this, and hear such positive experiences.
I'm another donor in the UK. Aged 58 to my son. Key parts to giving a kidney was to be healthy - they will do lots of tests and find things that are wrong with you. They won't stop you donating, but you will find out stuff you never knew about your health. I also need to lose weight, which I did through a combination of eating less and exercise. The exercise was really good in helping the recovery. I took a little longer to recover - mainly because my kidney was reluctant to come out and had to be 'helped out' according to my surgeon.
There was pain initially, but this wore off reasonably quickly. Like others I did a lot of walks, initially short ones. Sleeping was the most troublesome since I don't like sleeping on my back. In the end I got a big thick pillow and hugged that which meant I could sleep on my 'good' side.
The biggest benefit was seeing my son get well. All the pain and inconvenience was so worth it .
Hi, thanks for your post! I am also in the process of trying to donate a kidney to my daughter who is only 22 and found out by complete accident that both kidneys were only working at 15%. Can I please ask how long ago you had the op and how old your son is? I really hope that all is well and positive news. We are trying to stay as positive as possible. Did your son have any councelling too as I talk all the time with my daughter but never really sure of how she is feeling and what's going on in her head! Take care x
Many thanks, Hooked Stick, for sharing your experience with me. Yesterday, I spoke with someone at the transplant center and she sent me the initial application and some other documents to review, so I think I'm starting down the path.bI'm very glad you and your son are well.
Update - I spoke with a transplant donor coordinator earlier today and she's going to get me set up for the initial blood and urine testing. It's the first big step forward.
Iam from India, here every one are asking for NKF donorcard to donate a kidney.How can I become a living donor. Is there any membership card? If so may I know the process. Phn no. +916300881797
I had never had surgery prior to my donation to my Dad... I had no idea what to expect, and honestly, it was awesome! I've since had other surgeries and knowing what to expect did NOT help! Helping a loved one out, in my opinion, is all you need to know going into the surgery -- you'll heal and will be back to yourself soon enough, but the transformation the recipient goes through is priceless - and being a family member and getting to see that and be a part of it all is just incredible!
Well, I'm way beyond step one at this point.I'm currently scheduled for surgery in October. In late May, I went through several days of testing, and the governing board recently approved my case, so I'll be flying down to Charlotte to donate a kidney to my niece. It's been quite a journey so far, and it's amazing to be able to give my niece this gift.
Congratulations on your approval to donate! It took a solid year for me to get through all the testing and screening, but I was able to donate through the voucher program back on July 19th, 2023. My intended recipient received his kidney just a few days ago and is doing great! This was easily one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in my life and I don't regret it for a moment.
My biggest pieces of advice are: work on your fitness as much as possible pre-op, make sure you have comfy, non-restrictive clothing to wear home from the hospital and the days/weeks after (preferably without waistbands, I wore dresses for the first 3 weeks), walk as much as you can possibly tolerate post-op to mitigate the gas pains from surgery, use either a pillow or your flat palmed hands to brace your incision sites if you need to cough or sneeze, and take the laxatives and stool softeners they give you to help get things going again as straining can really hurt and it can take some time for bowel movements to return to normal. Give yourself time and grace while you're healing and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Best of luck to you and your niece and if you have any questions, I'm happy to offer more details of my experience!
Thank you for all of the good advice, MommaMcChesney! I exercise daily, but I'm glad you mentioned comfy clothes, as that's something I wouldn't have thought about.m
This past Wednesday, my left kidney was laproscopicly removed and transplanted to my niece. The surgeries both went very well. I'm dealing with some abdominal pain, but otherwise feeling fine. The transplanted kidney, which I nicknamed 'Lefty' is functioning greatly in my niece, and my remaining kidney is working like a champ.
Altruistic donor concerns
Talking to Spouse about donation
