I asked my Aunt to write her story about when she gave her kidney to my brother, to give her experience as a donor.I know some people are scared to do it because they do not know anyone who has been through it, just talked to doctors and such. So I asked her to write her story as a donor :)To help give other a little more reassurance that is an amazing choice to donate:::
:Ten years ago on January 13,2003 I left my home in Sacramento at 6 in the morning and headed to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University. My nephew was waiting for me to check in so we could start a new journey in both our lives. He at age 13 just as his father and sister at age 13 under went kidney failure and depended on dialysis until a suitable donor came along. Luckily, I happened to be a good match for him!
When my sister who is my nephews mom called me and told me the news about needed a kidney donor for my nephew, I did not hesitate in stepping forward and immediately asked how we got the process moving. The first thing I did was go down to the hospital where they took a few vials of blood to check and see how many, if any markers matched. I was told the more markers matching, the better my chance to be selected as a donor. Just because we were family did not necessarily mean we would be perfect matches. A stranger could sometimes be selected as a better donor than an immediate family member.
Well, after our matches came back as being classified as a “good” donor, I had an opportunity to talk to a pschycologist who offered to answer any of my questions I might have, and at the same time I think they were checking to see if I was be forced or coerced into giving my kidney. Well, I had many questions and concerns as I had 2 young children of my own, but I was reassured that being a living donor would not affect my health in any way. If I continued to take care of myself and eat right and exercise, as we all should, my life would continue as if I still had 2 kidneys. That was good news to me as I worried if I would jeopardize my future of being around for my own kids, as I grew older.
After my many questions and concerns were set to rest, I continued with physicals and a few more blood tests. I then saw another psychologist who needed to confirm I was doing this at my own free will. I thought this second appointment was unnecessary, but I was willing as to not prolong this process and get my nephew his kidney. You see, dialysis takes a big toll on a person’s body. Yes it helps them live longer, but during this process it is hard having all your blood drained (slowly of course), filtered and then re-circulated back into your body. He was getting thinner and it is a difficult way for anyone to prolong his or her life. Yet, for so many people, this is the only way to stay alive. This was the last step before we could schedule an operating date. We were almost to the finish line!
So we set the date and waited in anticipation. My husband and I set up for grandma to come and stay with the kids while we headed to Stanford. In getting there, I was checked in and feeling a bit under the weather. I hadn’t gotten enough sleep the night before worrying if I had forgotten to tell my mother in-law about something the girls might need or want. Well, the nurse took my temperature and it was 101. I could not believe it! They asked me question about my health, and did a few test and we soon learned that I had strep throat! So we had to reschedule and we were all bummed!!! Its like standing in line for that concert ticket of a life time, and getting to the front of the line and they put the “sold out” sign up as you put your money on the counter! So we headed home only after being told the surgery calendar for our world-renowned surgeon was booked up for the next 3 months, but if anything opened up, they would let us know! Ok thanks! Just what we wanted to hear after we had waited so long. So we headed back to Sacramento with a bag of antibiotics and a heavy heart.
That was December 2002. Christmas came and went, new years came and went, finally the phone rings and they say we got a surgery date but we need to be to the hospital the following morning at 7 am! We have no time to arrange or wait for people to drive down for our kids, so we pack the car with bags of clothes for each of us and head to Sanford early before the sunrises the next morning. We put our sleeping girls into their car seats and head to Stanford. We check in, get vitals taken, and all is good!
After talking to our doctor one last time (an angel of a man!) saying a prayer and hugging everyone, they wheeled me and my nephew off to our operating room to prep us.
I remember them telling me to count backwards from 10 and they would all see me when I woke again. Our doctor patted me on my shoulder and he said “don’t worry, see you soon and Jeffrey will be fine because of you” 10, 9, 8….
As I woke up, I remember the nurse saying everything went well, Jeffrey is fine! That was exactly what I wanted to hear! I felt a bit of pain as I attempted to move, and they recommended me not to move too much. I was wheeled to my room after being watched in the recovery room for some time. I was greeted by my husband who said to me “happy anniversary!” I hadn’t realized with all the excitement of hurrying to get to the hospital that it was oue wedding anniversary! I always joke that on January 13th I gave my heart to my husband and my kidney to Jeff! From there on it was a breeze! I was in quite a bit of pain, I won’t lie, but with help room some painkillers, it was very tolerable. I was up and walking the very next day and after 4 days, I was on my way home!
I was not on any life long special diet. I was told to walk everyday, no driving and by 6 to 7 weeks, I would be back to my old self (minus a kidney).
That is exactly what happened. I went for a check up to Stanford the week following, then one 2 weeks later, then once a month for 6 months. They gave me the all clear that my kidney I had was working well and I learned that the kidney I had would grow to be able to do the job of 2 kidneys.
It has been 10 years now and as each day goes by, I feel thankful and blessed to have been able to give such a gift to my nephew. I have had wonderful health and no issues what so ever with my kidney or anything else for that matter. My nephew is also doing great! He has really made an effort to take care of himself and his new kidney!
If anyone were to ever ask me “if you had to do this over again, would you?” My answer would be 100% YES! If asked “do I ever regret doing it?” My answer is 100% NO!! If asked “would you recommend others to do this?” My answer is 1000% YES!! No the extra zero on that number is not a typo. I really want people to know that this is not a health affecting surgery for the donor. This is a LIFE effecting surgery for the recipient though!! I encourage you to step up and help someone in need. Not only did this change my nephews’ life, but it changed my life also. I have only felt so fulfilled and happy and needed three times in my life. Twice was when my 2 daughters were born, the third was when I saw my nephews smile for the first time after our surgery. To know what it is to give someone a second chance at living is indescribable. This was the right choice for me and my family. I hope it can be the right choice for you and yours as well
