Kidney Donation

On September 15th I donated a kidney to my college roommate and BFF Karen. Karen has had bad kidneys her entire life and when it got serious about five years ago, I knew that if I were given the opportunity I would donate for her. The thought of losing her really scared me. But fortunately her kidneys held on and she was able to put off a transplant until this year. When she started the process of getting approved for transplant, her sister planned to donate for her. I put in my application as well, knowing that we were the same blood type, but assumed that Sharon would be a better match and the better donor candidate. I was wrong! I sailed through the initial tests and moved on to the matching tests pretty quickly.

24 hour urine collection. I learned that I pee a lot! My GFR was super healthy at 121.

After the 24 hour urine collection, I took a simple blood sample to test with Karen's for compatibility. About a week later we got this exciting news!

 



Since I had already purchased flights for our family reunion in July, I scheduled my two day appointments for the week we were in Utah. It was a lot of information, and I found it pretty fascinating. Everyone that I met with was polite and extra kind because I was a potential donor. It made me a little uncomfortable because nothing was certain yet. 

 

Ready for my chest x-ray and CT scan

The names of the people I met with. I also met with Dr. Alonso, a super star surgeon that ended up doing Karen's surgery.  

It took less than a week to hear back from my coordinator, Mayra, who said that I had been approved as Karen's kidney donor! It still felt a little unreal, though, because they were telling Karen that she had to have some immunizations that would take until December to complete. But in August they changed their minds, and we were able to schedule transplant! We chose September 15th, which was pretty much the first available date. Karen was anxious to get it done before winter, and I was anxious to get it done before our planned Disneyland trip in October. Emily and Avery flew with me on September 12th, and we spent a fun weekend with family.

 

On Monday, September 14th I went in for my pre-operative appointment with PA Ben. He explained that the surgeon would use a laparoscope to locate and disconnect my kidney and would remove it through an incision at my belly button. He also warned me that my bowels and digestive system would be affected. I would be on a liquid diet for several days after surgery and they would closely be monitoring my poo for several weeks post surgery. Fantastic. He gave me something to clean out my bowels and told me to drink it at 7 pm. I'm not sure why, but this all really surprised me. He also told me to expect to be in the hospital until Saturday. Most of the stories of donors that I read about were discharged after 2 days, so this really surprised me. The entire conversation helped prepare me for what was to come, but it also freaked me out.

This stuff is evil and did not work as quickly as predicted. I was still going poo right before surgery!

On the morning of September 15th, my Mom drove me to the IMC in Murray. My dad stayed home with the girls. Sharon drove Karen and we all had to arrive at the same time, 5:30 am. I got prepped first and then waited while they did Karen's labs. I was still going potty every few minutes as I waited. Maybe it was good because it kept me from getting too nervous. Karen and Sharon came and waited with me for a few minutes until the OR was ready for me. Here's our last pic together right before they wheeled me off.

 

In the recovery room I woke up and remember the surgeon, Dr. Van Der Werf, touching my shoulder and telling me that I was done, and that my kidney was already working for Karen. I felt a wave of relief cover my entire body.

 

I don't remember anything after that until I was in my room, 1039. My mom, Debbie, and Colleen were there. I was too sleepy to open my eyes and talk to them, but I enjoyed their voices. The next 24 hours were pretty rough. I battled nausea and pain and fatigue. I hadn't slept for so long and the pain made it difficult to sleep for more than and hour or so at a time. That night, around midnight, they made me sit up at the side of the bed. It hurt really bad to move my abdomen at all, so I was worried when they told me I would need to walk the next day. But the next morning, I got up and went for my first walk. Jenn, Sharon, and Mom accompanied me as we walked to Karen's room. She was busy with nurses, so we parked at the end of the hallway and chatted until I was ready to walk back. 

My first walk. I forced that smile, but did not feel great. I was weighed right before this walk, and it was horrifying.
I had gained over 10 lbs of fluid during the surgery.

Over the next several days in the hospital I walked and visited with Karen several times throughout the day. My biggest challenge in the hospital was gas pain. During surgery Carbon Dioxide was pumped into my abdomen, and the pain manifested in my shoulders, back, and belly. It was way worse than the incision pain.

On Thursday morning, I got light headed in Karen's room after my first walk. Usually when I get dizzy if I sit down and rest it goes away, but it didn't go away and the nurses had to help me back to my room. I rested in the afternoon and felt better later. It caused a lot of fuss with the doctors and nurses, though, and embarrassed me a little.

On Thursday night, I could finally feel the gas moving a little and got up to walk (they kept telling me this would help). I walked every couple of hours and the cute night staff kept tabs on me. When I finally farted, they were all super happy for me. It didn't help the pain immediately, but it gave me hope that it was going to get better. 

 



Karen bought us these matching robes. They made us celebrities at the hospital! The other patients were jealous and asked where we had purchased them. Karen had bought them from the Vermont Country Store.

By Friday I didn't have my IV or catheter anymore, so I got to walk without the tree. Karen had hers a couple more days. 



 

Our days and nights were pretty mixed up in the hospital. We walked, snacked, and napped round the clock.
And got excited for any pee, poo or farts that were going on.

I was released on Saturday, September 19th and my Mom drove me to her house where I took the greatest nap. It was so nice to be in a quiet house and out of the hospital. My mom spent the next several days cooking for me and helping with the kids. My gave me the greatest naps by taking the kids out of the house for four wheeler rides.

 

On Wednesday September 23rd, we went to Salt Lake to meet Jenn for her birthday lunch. Then we went to the hospital for my scheduled labs and follow-up appointment. At my appointment Ben explained that my digestive issues were expected and to keep eating easy foods for a while. Everything else looked great and I was released to travel.

 

Early Thursday morning, the girls and I rode with Dad and Cassie to the airport. Cassie and Debbie had already scheduled a girls' trip to Colleen's house in Carlsbad with their bunko friends, so I booked the same flight so that they could help me. These cute girls were such good helpers and all took a bag for me. I didn't have to carry anything!

Bunko group in San Diego.
Back: Natalie, Sheila, Marci. Front: MaLesa, Cassie, Debbie, LeAnn.

Breakfast in the airport. I was a little worried about flying on breakfast burrito belly, but I did just fine.



Alaska has partnered with Disney. The girls were so excited for their Disneyland workbooks.
 It helped the two hours go by quickly.

When we arrived home in Poway, Ryan picked us up from the airport and took the girls to school. Then he took me home to bed. It was such a glorious reunion! I napped the day away. I also slept through the night, which was bit of a miracle.

My friend and visiting teacher, Emilie, made a little meal schedule for us during the first week we were home. It was really nice!

Two weeks after surgery I resumed my mom responsibilities. It was good timing because that week Avery started full days at Kindergarten.

2 weeks post op, September 29th.

I told Karen that I am really proud of my belly now. I have always carried extra fat around my abdomen, and I went into surgery at my heaviest weight ever. But instead of always wanting to cover up and hide it, I keep looking at my tummy in awe. I can't believe that I was able to share a kidney with a friend. It is such a miracle. I'm really proud that I was able to do it. I hope it will take good care of her. I have heard a few stories of recipients who were able to keep a kidney for 20 years or so. That would be amazing.