Anyone here ever donate an organ? Looking for feedback.

[akshatp]

So, my sister was diagnosed with IGA nephropathy a few years ago, and over the course of the last 12 months her kidney function has decreased to the point where if she doesn't get a kidney soon she will have to go on dialysis. She is a rare blood type, and the chances of her getting a matching kidney from the national list is not very high.

It turns out that although I am not a matching blood type, they can make my kidney work in her body with some additional procedures on her part, mainly plasmapheresis.

After discussing it with my wife and researching online, I decided to donate, and the surgery is coming up fast (next week). I have already been through all of the physical tests, and have spoken to the surgeon, social worker, psychologist, case worker, etc at the hospital, and they cleared me as a viable donor.

As the date nears, I have been getting a little bit nervous and I guess somewhat scared. I haven't ever had any other surgery (besides LASIK).

I'm mainly just looking for some feedback/advice/suggestions from people who may have donated an organ (or know someone who has) on what to expect. Anything I can learn in addition to what I have already learned online and by talking to the surgical team is a bonus for me, so feel free to add anything you think may be helpful.

I am not looking for horror stories or reasons why I shouldn't donate; I have already made that decision.

Thanks in advance!

Update 8/2: Surgery postponed until next Tuesday. My sister needs more plasmapheresis treatments than originally thought. Her body is not responding as expected, and she still has too many antibodies against my blood.

Update 8/5: Since the surgery was postponed and we had an "extra" weekend, me and the wife went to the poconos for our "last wknd of the summer", so I apologize for not posting earlier. While we were there, we got a call from my bro-in-law letting us know that Tuesdays surgery has also been postponed.

The problem still is that my sister is not responding to the plasmapheresis as they expected, and she still has antibodies against me in her blood, which would make it hard for her body to accept the new kidney., This is an unforeseen obstacle, and the nephrologist at Columbia said that it is rare for the pheresis not to work within the first 4-5 treatments.

We are meeting with her personal nephrologist today to see what her options are; they dont want to keep doing the pheresis treatments, because it is risky and also the chance of it working goes exponentially down with each treatment.

At this point they don't know if she will be able to use my kidney at all, and we are all kind of in limbo until we find out more from the doctors. Ill keep you all updated as I find out.

Its been an emotional roller coaster for me and my wife, and I truly appreciate all of the kind words and well wishes from all of you.

 

[disappoint]

First of all, good for you for donating to someone in need. Takes courage to make a decision like that. Did you discuss if your organ will be removed laparascopically? It's supposedly easier on you because you will have several smaller scars rather than one very long one. Less scarring means less recovery time for you if I'm not mistaken.

Also did they mention an option where you can donate to someone with your blood type and have a friend or family member of theirs donate to your sister if they are a match? In other words, Person A needs a kidney with your blood type and Person B is friends with person A but has your sister's blood type, You donate to A and B donates to your sister. I forgot what it's called organ swapping or some such. Given your sister's rare type this may be unlikely though. Just thought I'd mention it anyway.

 

[Greenman]

I was going to post a smart ass answer until I read the thread, now I'll just say this.

What you're doing is both selfless and noble. You have my utmost respect, and I hope that the procedure works out perfectly for you and your sister.

 

[BoomerD]

No, but I sold a piano once upon a time.



not eligible for organ donation.

 

[silverpig]

First of all, good for you for donating to someone in need. Takes courage to make a decision like that. Did you discuss if your organ will be removed laparascopically? It's supposedly easier on you because you will have several smaller scars rather than one very long one. Less scarring means less recovery time for you if I'm not mistaken.

I'm not a doctor but don't they at least need a hole big enough to get a kidney through?

OP: I can offer no advice, but I hope it goes well for you and your sister. Let us know how it goes!

 

[rasczak]

about ten years ago I was going to donate a lung lobe to a young teen (an aquaintance of an attorney i worked with at that time), went through all of the physicals and everything up until the second to last day. I was quite nervous and my entire family was scared for me. i ended up being cut (I was one of four options) and ended up becoming an alternate. i really felt for the kid as he had cystic fibrosis and was literally on his death bed. luckily he went through the surgery and came out looking better than ever. it's a miracle really, and to have been a part of that process still gives me a sense of pride.

please keep us updated, and i wish you and your sister the best of luck.

 

[villageidiot111]

Doesn't donating a kidney reduce your projected lifespan?

 

[alkemyst]

I got an organ for donation...anyway you want it hunny!

 

[Terzo]

Cant help with in the previous experiences department, but I'll chime in with another tip of the hat. I hope the surgery goes well for both you and your sister.

 

[sjwaste]

Hat's off for the decision you made. You're a good person.

Other than that, no idea! Good luck, hope to see you posting about a pound and a half lighter.

 

[Number1]

Hat's off to you. Good luck.

How old are you and your sister?

 

[akshatp]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes.

First of all, good for you for donating to someone in need. Takes courage to make a decision like that. Did you discuss if your organ will be removed laparascopically? It's supposedly easier on you because you will have several smaller scars rather than one very long one. Less scarring means less recovery time for you if I'm not mistaken.

Also did they mention an option where you can donate to someone with your blood type and have a friend or family member of theirs donate to your sister if they are a match? In other words, Person A needs a kidney with your blood type and Person B is friends with person A but has your sister's blood type, You donate to A and B donates to your sister. I forgot what it's called organ swapping or some such. Given your sister's rare type this may be unlikely though. Just thought I'd mention it anyway.

It will be a laparascopic procedure. 2 weeks recovery is what they are telling me, but some say its longer to get back to 100%

Thats a kidney swap. We explored this option, but again her rare blood type and high number of antibodies puts the realistic timeframe at about 2 years to find a match.

Doesn't donating a kidney reduce you're projected lifespan?

Not at all. Unless my remaining kidney fails. In wihch case my younger sister is an exact genetic match with me (found out during this whole process) and I have told her to be ready to suit up if i ever need it

Hat's off to you. Good luck.

How old are you and your sister?

Thanks. Im 34, she is 37.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Very noble thing your doing. :thumbsup:

I had a co worker that donated a kidney to his son a couple of years ago. He said he was pretty sore for about a week, he came through it with flying colors and he was 62 at the time, 64 now.

His son was 38 at the time and had been on dialyasis for many years and is now doing great and no longer requires treatment

 

[akshatp]

Very noble thing your doing. :thumbsup:

I had a co worker that donated a kidney to his son a couple of years ago. He said he was pretty sore for about a week, he came through it with flying colors and he was 62 at the time, 64 now.

His son was 38 at the time and had been on dialyasis for many years and is now doing great and no longer requires treatment

Ahhhh just the kind of response I was looking for. So glad to hear that someone even at that age had no complications. I mean I have talked to a living donor who said the same thing, but the more times I hear it the better it makes me feel.

Thanks.

 

[tyler811]

I got an organ for donation...anyway you want it hunny!

Don't you need to be stupid somewhere else.


To O.P. I have no advice but wish the best for you and your sister. I can think of no greater to gift to give someone then the gift of life. You are truly a hero.

 

[Fritzo]

I was going to post a smart ass answer until I read the thread, now I'll just say this.

What you're doing is both selfless and noble. You have my utmost respect, and I hope that the procedure works out perfectly for you and your sister.

Damn it, I had a good line all set about my grandma's Fuller organ being donated to the church, but the thread's all serious.

Good luck OP

 

[mcmilljb]

I had a classmate recently get a liver transplant. She took care of her health as much as she could, and it really helped with the transplant. She looks very healthy, and it's good to see her back at school. She was back pretty fast too. She visted class one time during the same semester.

 

[Mo0o]

Good luck. Just make sure you take care of your own health now that you're down to one.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

I was going to post a smart ass answer until I read the thread, now I'll just say this.

What you're doing is both selfless and noble. You have my utmost respect, and I hope that the procedure works out perfectly for you and your sister.

+1

I'd like to think I could do it should the need arise, but I hope it never does.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Awesome dude. Hats off to you.

I've had inpatient surgery a bunch of times. The worst part is waking up after the anaesthesia. It's like waking up from the middle of a good nights sleep and feeling like utter crap. And then there is the fear associated with waiting for the rest of your body to wake up. There are few things that made me more nervous then the threat the nurses made of not letting me out of the hospital until I dropped a deuce. If that doesn't happen on its own, they will find a way to make it happen, if you know what I'm saying.

But all in all, its not that bad. You won't remember a thing after the doc tells you to count back from 10.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

..

 

[akshatp]

Awesome dude. Hats off to you.

I've had inpatient surgery a bunch of times. The worst part is waking up after the anaesthesia. It's like waking up from the middle of a good nights sleep and feeling like utter crap. And then there is the fear associated with waiting for the rest of your body to wake up. There are few things that made me more nervous then the threat the nurses made of not letting me out of the hospital until I dropped a deuce. If that doesn't happen on its own, they will find a way to make it happen, if you know what I'm saying.

But all in all, its not that bad. You won't remember a thing after the doc tells you to count back from 10.

Ok wait.. What? They didnt mention anything about keeping me in there until dropping a deuce. Ill be sure to ask the nurse about that though. I thought the pain meds make you constipated and its normal not to go until you get home?

The nephrologist did mention that I will feel like crap when I wake up, and will probably be nauseous to the point of vomiting from the anesthesia meds. And very gassy from the air they pump into my stomach to make it easier for them to work in and around there. Ugh now talking about it is making me nervous.

 

[vi edit]

As a guy with one kidney and probably going need to have somebody do the same for me in the future my hat is off to you for your compassion & courage.

It's not really a horror story or anything to stress over, but my wife does a lot of work with transplant surgeons (she rounds with them at a hospital as a pharmacist) and it's usually rougher on the donor than the recipient. Their bodies are used to working with a crippled kidney, you are used to having two good ones. Going down to half production will put a hurt on you for a bit until your body gets used to it. You'll bounce back, but know you'll be beat up for a while.

Again...there isn't much more you can give in this world than your body/organs. Good luck (and god bless if you are into that) for both you and sister. I hope for a speedy recovery for both of you!

 

[howlinmad]

Ok wait.. What? They didnt mention anything about keeping me in there until dropping a deuce. Ill be sure to ask the nurse about that though. I thought the pain meds make you constipated and its normal not to go until you get home?

The nephrologist did mention that I will feel like crap when I wake up, and will probably be nauseous to the point of vomiting from the anesthesia meds. And very gassy from the air they pump into my stomach to make it easier for them to work in and around there. Ugh now talking about it is making me nervous.

You're doing a good thing and the right thing. The pain will be nothing compared to the sense of pride and honor knowing that you did the right thing. Best of luck to you and your sister, friend.

 

[akshatp]

As a guy with one kidney and probably going need to have somebody do the same for me in the future my hat is off to you for your compassion & courage.

It's not really a horror story or anything to stress over, but my wife does a lot of work with transplant surgeons (she rounds with them at a hospital as a pharmacist) and it's usually rougher on the donor than the recipient. Their bodies are used to working with a crippled kidney, you are used to having two good ones. Going down to half production will put a hurt on you for a bit until your body gets used to it. You'll bounce back, but know you'll be beat up for a while.

Again...there isn't much more you can give in this world than your body/organs. Good luck (and god bless if you are into that) for both you and sister. I hope for a speedy recovery for both of you!

If I may ask, why do you have only one kidney? Were you born with just one, as some people are? And why do say you will need one in the future? Most people are fully able to survive a full healthy life with only one functioning kidney, or so I am lef to believe.