I’m being evaluated to donate a kidney - request for advice

[Makeda]

I’m being evaluated to donate a kidney. What would you have liked to have known prior to both 1) making this decision and 2) the surgery?

[LavenderRabbit]

First I have a question for you. Are you male or female?

[LisaSnow]

Is this person who you may donate to a loved one? The reward is in giving a quality life to this person. As far as the risks associated with surgery, your care team will give you such a comprehensive list that you may cringe. But in reality, the risk of something going wrong is small. You will need to be extra careful after you donate as you will have less reserve in filtration hardware, however, many do not lose the actual filtration efficiency at all.

[Makeda in reply to LisaSnow]

Thank you

[FixitJosh]

Hello Makeda, I just became a living kidney donor on May 4...., I can't tell you how easy it all was for me....it went like clockwork, very little pain, if any, no more than a level 2, out of the hospital after 2 nights and started to talk over 10K steps the next day and every day after that....The emotional side of the donation was that I felt one of the most "highs" I have ever felt in my life. My recipient got the kidney, but I got something so much more....I got to give of myself in a way that I have never experienced before.....I was truly blessed to have done this for someone, who would have otherwise been on dialysis for years with a compromised life at best. It is truly a blessing that I really cannot put into words....a gift like no other I have ever given. I feel great....tomorrow will be 2 weeks, and I am out and about, driving, going to church, making meals, etc. My 6 week date is June 15.,... hard for me to not do things that I am used to doing, but I will gladly give up a few weeks of lifting for the happiness I feel now.

For more detail of my events.....see my response to Philly57 I Just sent out here.

Good luck....you are doing a wonderful thing for both your recipient and yourself. I hope it turns out well for you. Let us know as you progress.