What is it like after transplant?

[curiousmind2019]

Want to know from a psychological perspective, what is like to receive this new gift of life?

- Do you worry about how long the kidney will last? Do you feel like there's limited time to do what you want in life?

- If living donor, do you feel an emotional obligation to the donor? Or that you have to now live a certain way (e.g., quit smoking, jog everyday, other lifestyle changes)?

- Do you worry about infections and the lowered immune system?

- Do you feel sense of urgency? "Now that I have a new kidney.. these are all the things that I should do now.. "

- Is it a very different view on life from when you were on dialysis? Or even before dialysis?

[JennieZ]

- Do you worry about how long the kidney will last? Do you feel like there's limited time to do what you want in life?

Yes, all the time. I am a little over a year out and often feel anxiety knowing that I "lucked" out this time with my brother as donor and think that i will be older when i need another one and how long will this last. I do worry.

- If living donor, do you feel an emotional obligation to the donor? Or that you have to now live a certain way (e.g., quit smoking, jog everyday, other lifestyle changes)?

Yes, I think all the time how much i owe my brother and also feel guilty about a bunch of things, like when i want a second glass of wine or when i am grumpy and not as grateful as i can be that my life was saved.

- Do you worry about infections and the lowered immune system?

Less so now as i am over a year out but in general yes. I don't overwash hands and i have traveled extensively so i realize I am healthy and not so fragile.

- Do you feel sense of urgency? "Now that I have a new kidney.. these are all the things that I should do now.. "

At times and at others i feel almost paralyzed that i am not doing enough and should do more.

- Is it a very different view on life from when you were on dialysis? Or even before dialysis? I was blessed to get my transplant before dialysis.

[blackkat2]

These are great questions. I wish I had at least asked them (or been guided to consider them) ahead of time--my amazing gift might have started its new life in a less stressed and confused new body.

Above all, you're grateful, but the sense that somehow you shouldn't just be going back to "business as usual" after transplant can be very real. Most of us have no choice but to go on earning a living, taking care of ourselves and others, doing the chores, etc. It's with a new sense of gratitude and wonder but also a feeling that maybe you owe it to yourself, your doner, your new gift, to do more, be more, find more. On the other hand, you have a new organ to take care of and that is a pretty heavy obligation itself. The meds mess with you in a lot of ways, physical and mental, which can add to the confusion and anxiety if you go too far down that rabbit hole.

For me, leading the healthiest lifestyle for the transplant is an absolute obligation. I take every precaution I can against infections, as I was trained; it has become part of my waking consciousness.

It's a very different life than on dialysis. So much more freedom (I did PD) but the side effects of the anti-rejection drugs you have to live with as long as your new organ continues to work. And you just have no way to know how long that might be. That's why you take such good care of it.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I think you are making way too much out of all of this. After receiving the GIFT OF LIFE, I made sure that I did everything I was suppose to and took the necessary precautions. I take my meds like I should, have my labs done as ordered and most importantly if running a temp or notice anything our of the ordinary I contact my doctor.

After a transplant, I think you owe your donor (whether live donor or deceased) to live your life to the fullest. I don't worry about every little thing, but am not reckless either. My husband and I do a lot of traveling. This is something I always wanted to do before dialysis and do it NOW!

Worrying over every little thing does not help you and certainly doesn't honor the memory of your donor. Your donor would want you to go on with your life and LIVE!

Most of us go through with some problems that first year after transplant until your body adjusts to the meds and the doctors get you on the right dose. Relax...and LIVE and yes, be thankful to GOD and your donor!