Being a live kidney donor
On 21st February I donated one of my kidneys to my sister. Just over 2 weeks on and everything is going well for both of us.
It has been almost a year since we found out my sister would need a kidney donation and when we found out I knew I wanted to get checked to see if I was compatible. There was no hesitation, it’s what big brothers are there to do at the end of the day.
Fortunately all the tests proved I was a suitable match. I had numerous blood tests, a CT scan, pee tests, X-Rays, an ECG, a nuclear dye injection and scan (can’t remember the name of that one) and various examinations. I should probably be glowing due to the amount of radiation I’ve had directed at me.
So all tests proved positive and my kidney was an excellent match. Finally the day of going into hospital arrived after one previous delay and we ‘checked in’ to St Georges hospital in Wimbledon, London. I have to admit to not liking hospitals, but the staff on Bucklands Ward were excellent. Not an unhappy face in sight and all very bubbly and just a bit crazy. An X-Ray and ECG out the way and it was time to put the sexy stockings on that are meant to reduce the chance of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and try and settle in.
The operation was due at 8.30am on Wednesday morning so we had a night in hospital before the op. All the way through the tests I had not felt nervous, scared or any anxiety towards the op. I don’t know why, maybe because I knew I was helping my sister. I referred to the op as being sliced and diced to anyone that it came up in conversation with and I was always optimistic about it.
After a restless nights sleep, because the hospital ward was too warm and the bed wasn’t long enough for my lanky 6’4″ frame, it was time to be sliced and diced. I was wheeled off to the operating room and into the room where they knock you out (not with a hammer). I don’t remember having to count down once I had the inital injection, I just remember the room going a bit blurry. Now some people say you have the best dreams while under a general anaesthetic, but I don’t remember a thing. I rarely remember my dreams anyway. I woke up after the op in the recovery room and spotted my sister asleep, the surgeons wandered round and said everything had gone really well. So I went back to sleep.
Now, for those of you that don’t know what happens in this type of operation, here is a very unscientific break down.
First I went in to the operating theatre. The technique they use for removing the kidney, providing it only has one main blood vessel going to it, is almost entirely keyhole. There are three incisions made for the keyhole equipment which is a camera, an ultrasonic scalpel thingy and a hook or grabby type thing for moving stuff out the way and assisting with the cutting and sewing up. All very clever. To get the kidney out, an incision is made on my belt line below, about 4 inches below my belly button and about 4 inches long. This is where they take the kidney out from. Considering where the kidney is positioned in the body, it is quite a clever way of doing it. It’s done this way as this position for the main incision causes the least pain in recovery. All good stuff.
When they are happy that my kidney can be removed and is ok to be removed, my sister, in the next operating theatre is opened up, ready to receive the kidney (one careful owner). Now, this is the thing that people don’t realise. They don’t remove any of my sister’s kidneys even though they don’t work and they add the new one in behind her pelvis and plumb it in there. The reason for this is that the pelvis acts as protection for it, it’s easily accessible for the operation and if there are complications further down the line, it’s easy to get to should it need removing or other work done to it. So now my sister has three kidneys, although it’s only really the new one that is doing anything.
So with both procedures complete we are sewn up and that’s it. As my procedure was keyhole, it meant recovery time was minimal. I was actually walking about the morning after the op. I was disconnected from the drip and pee bag and was able to move about. Quite amazing really. There was no real pain so I didn’t even need any pain relief, just the odd paracetamol which don’t really do a great deal anyway. My sister took a little longer to recover as her op was a little more involved, and she had a lot of discomfort initially as she couldn’t get comfortable, but all the tests were very positive and everything was performing as it should.
Friday came and that was the day I was allowed to go home. So two days after having a kidney removed I was able to go home, have a shower, and even better, I could have a beer! Yep, as long as I was sensible, there were no reasons why I couldn’t have a beer. I wasn’t on any medication, I just had to keep drinking water to keep things flushing through.
My sister was allowed home on the Sunday after a big improvement in her comfort and being up and about. So she was home after only 4 days of having a new kidney. Amazing.
So at home, with my parents, is when the boredom really kicks in. Load of rubbish on TV as normal. I couldn’t get out and about straight away as it was still a little uncomfortable moving about. I couldn’t do any photography as the weather was rubbish and I was resisting doing any work too soon. Early nights and puzzle books passed the time along with the extended DVD trilogy version of Lord of the Rings (great films!!!) and Green Wing series 1 & 2 (the funniest thing that has been on TV in a long while).
So now it’s 2 weeks since I’ve been home (well, not my home, my parent’s home) and the discomfort has almost gone and the weather is improving and I can get out and about a little more. I’m getting back into my freelancing web work and am getting better at crosswords.
My sister is still doing fine, all tests looking very good, so hopefully it’s all been a success. There is always the risk that there might be rejection of the kidney, but for now it’s all going well and looks to be good for the future too.
I don’t feel any different than before the op, and as long as keep healthy I won’t notice only having one kidney at all….. which is nice.
If you are, or someone you know is, about to go through this procedure, I am happy to share my thoughts and experience, so just ask. I’m sure my sister will too. As everyone keeps saying to me, it’s a great thing to be able to do for a member of your family or a friend (you don’t have to be related to donate a kidney). I just see it as something I was able to do, and was glad to be able to do it.
Hi Barbara, I do wish you all the best with the tests and hopefully eventually a successful transplant. The whole process does take time, but keep pushing for updates and the test schedule. It took me the best part of a year to get through all the tests.
Hi Rosie I am going through the tests but on reading yours, what was the biopsy for, I didnt think I would have to have one of those and what type of scan did you have. My Daughter has PKD and she is 43 like your Partner she will have to go on dialysis and her Consultant wants her to have the fistula fitted but she wants to wait to see if I can donate, its really worrying. Did the biopsy hurt. I had one on my breast many years ago and I said never again.
Hi Barbara, I am still waiting for the kidney biopsy. I have passed all the other tests and have to see the independent doctor on 16th Nov. H e is going to make sure I am ok with donating and doind it for the right reasons. I was due to have my biopsy a few weeks ago but one of the scans I had the day before gave me a really bad reaction. I have asthma so they wanted my body to recover. I must have a biopsy because they found very small traces of blood in my urine. I am going through the menopause and have recently had a new mirena coil fitted. It could be caused by either of them, but they want to make sure. If my kidneys are ok they will go ahead. I get very stressed out at times because it all takes such a long time. I cannot and will not give up. I just want to see my partner Steve have a normal life again. Thanks for your reply it good to know there are people out there to listen when you ramble on. I have tried talking to Steve but it worrys him to see me having to do all this for him. Rosie.
thanks Rosie for replying and i understand why now, do hope all goes well for you. My Daughter and i were at the Hospital yesterday and they are going ahead fitting the fistula in December. They spoke to my Daughter about me donating and they dont seem very keen anymore because they havnt put me . forward for anymore tests. They are worried about my age and perhaps getting infections. They had a man of 71 the oldest so far Donor and he was very ill after the op and took a long time to get over it,, myself i suspect MRSA as the Hospitals have all got it and it seems to like the older generation. I suppose i will have to give up. We went round a Dialysis unit yesterday and it doesnt seem too bad just very boring, but i feel sure as my Daughter is only 43 she will get another offer of a kidney and all we can do is hope. thanks Rosie bye for now Barbara. I am 76.
My husband has just donated to his mum they are both doin well both out of hospital within a week of operating. What a wonderful thing to give well done to all you donors xx
Hi everyone good news at long last. I will be donating my kidney to my partner Steve this coming Friday. It has been over a year since testing started now it all stations go. It will be in Guys hospital. Would love any feed back or support from anyone at this time. I getting a bit scared now. Rosie
That’s great news Rosie. I wish you and Steve all the best for Friday. No problems with being nervous, it will all be over soon enough and you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about
Hi thanks for your support Garry will keep you posted when I get home. I will be staying nearby the hospital till Steve able to come home. We have no family near so I will be his only visitor. Rosie.
Hi Rosie just caught up with my mail. I guess its all over now and I sincerely hope all has gone well and you are both on the mend.
Lots of love Barbara
Hi everyone the good news all went well. I was out of hospital in 4 days and Steve in 5 . He goes for his first checkup today so have been awake since 5 waiting for transport. His new kidney is working very well. Rosie.
hi giving my 5yr old soon a kidney hopefully im going threw the tests been threw gfr test ct scans abdomin tissue typing cross match but what is next thanks
Hi everyone, I t now 3 months since op and Steve had had rejection 3 times now. His body has too strong immune system, He has had medicine pumped in to him on 3 different times. Big problem now is he has vascular rejection this is the worst kind. He is in hos for 14 days. I write to you all as I am all alone. The treatment has made him feel very very ill. Dont know if anyone knows anything about it. Even a hello would be nice so I dont feel by myself through all this Rosie. x
Hi Rosie. I’m sorry to hear things haven’t gone as smooth as you’d like. I’m afraid I don’t know too much about the issues that Steve is having but don’t feel you are alone. Feel free to vent your thoughts on here (or even start your own blog to share your thoughts and keep you busy) but also find out if there if there are people at the hospital you can talk to about it, I’m pretty sure you won’t be the first person to go through something like this. I wish you and Steve all the best through this tricky time. Keep smiling
Hi: I am interested to know how do you know if you are qualified. Right now I am booked for a lot of tests. I am going to be donating my kidney to my younger sister which is three years younger than me.
I said i will be your donar. It is a gift from God i told her and the doctor already sugests that i would be a great candidate.
Hi Maggie. There are a lot of tests to go through to see if you are a suitable match and can be a lengthy process. Initially it will be a lot of blood tests, and scans, but being her sister you stand a good chance of being a good match. With all these tests, there is a chance you can get all the way through the tests and then the last one may bring up something, so you all need to keep an open mind throughout the process. Please feel free to ask any questions you have, but just remember I have no medical qualifications so I can only go by my experience
I wish you both all the best though and I hope everything goes to plan and you can give your sister an amazing gift.
hi during the op do u have to have a catheter etc put in
Hi,
Yes, during the op and for a short time afterwards (the day after the op) I had a catheter. Didn’t seem to be a problem though and it was removed as soon as they were happy things were functioning correctly.
and i have read alot about people going home 2 days after operation is this true as im going into childrens hospital after i have been released dont know if this is good or not but im not worried about the op on me im more concerned for my 5yr old son
Hi Mark. I was home after 2 days, and had a pint of guinness on the way home too. The donor is meant to take longer to recover but there weren’t any issues for me fortunately. Just rest and relaxation, no lifting, not venturing too far from help was all that was needed, plus the trips back to the hospital for blood tests a few times.
im a mom and im hopefully donating my kidney 2 my 21 year old daughter ive passed my 1st phase tests and in the next 2 wks have my 2nd phases reading your story as put my mind at ease hope mine goes as well as yours we r have our op at the queen elizabeth in birmingham like u i did hesitate 2 give my daughter my kidney as a mother id already gave her life its the natural thing 2 do xx
That’s great news Liz. I hope it all goes well for you and your daughter.
hi i am 54 and a genetic match for my first cousin, i have the tests next week and quit smoking 7 days ago. I hope i do not let him down because i have smoked in he past. Also, if i have to let people know what i doing the response is ‘Oh you are so brave’. Strange thing is ‘Brave’ is not a feeling i experience, should i be feeling ‘Brave’?
Brave was never something I felt, I was just happy to be able to do it for my sister.
hi garry im all tested and give my 5 yr old son my kidney in two weeks (19 october) am getting a little anxious but im trying not to think about it what is the best way to get over the anxiousness will post a reply after wards i hope things go smoothly for me and my son
All the best Mark, I hope it all goes well for you, it’s a really great thing you are doing.
Hi,
I’m a living donor like you garry, I gave my left kidney to my sister
year 1997 it was 87% matched. But my sister died after 3 yrs, rejection as doctor described it. I’m 37 now and had my BP checked
yesterday it’s high 160/100 that the first time . Bit worried.
is there anything else i need to get or do as its only six days to go and im starting to panic as cant remember much ahh can u help thanks
hi garry had my op 2days ago my sons kidney function has gone down to normal range straight away creatine is at 46 was at 351 thanks gor your advice and found it really helpfull thanks
I donated a kidney to my Dad on October 8, 2009 and he is doing incredible. He was 74 and on dialysis 3 days a week and wasn’t able to travel, which was a shame since he could afford to do anything he wanted. He used to kid around saying was going to work when he would go for dialysis. It’s been a year and 2 months and I’m happy to say he is still doing great. It was one of the best things I have done in my life (besides my son) because it gave my dad a new life.