Comments on: Being a live kidney donor

By: Rajaa

Rajaa — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:53:25 +0000

Hi Gary
Glen has been diagnosed with acute renal failure on July 1st after a routine check up. He has been on HD at Saint Georges hospital in Tooting ever since ( I believe it’s the same hospital where you have been operated) I have offered to donate my kidney and should be starting the tests in a couple of weeks time. I am not worried about the procedure but would really like to talk to you about it if possible as it would be in the same hospital
Let me know

By: Garry

Garry — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:22:43 +0000

Congrats Jackie, I hope your recovery is as swift as mine was and I hope your Dad starts benefiting soon too. The improvements my sister saw were great and made it worth while.

By: Jackie Ford

Jackie Ford — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:29:59 +0000

Just to say that I donated a kidney to my dad on 14 August 2008 at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. Dad was on CAPD for 18 months and I couldn’t bear the thought of him going through dialysis every 4 hours, 7 days a week until a cadaveric kidney became available. I made up my mind to donate in March 08 and following the necessary tests, Dad and I were given a provisional date.

I can honestly say that it was the right thing to do and have been overwhelmed by the kind words of support from family and friends. We can all look forward to the future with anticipation rather than trepidation.

By: Garry

Garry — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:43:14 +0000

Hi Voke. This is a tricky one, and I would like to point out that I am not expert on the subject. The financial side is the most tricky, have you spoken to your hospital advice place about it? Are you a UK resident or just working over here? As for the flight back, yes that is a risk, maybe you could get a few weeks over there to get over the op (it didn’t take me long, but that was just me) then fly back?
As for any problems, not noticed a thing, and even forget I’ve done it sometimes.

By: Voke

Voke — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:42:37 +0000

I was recently tested as a match for my brother. The challenge now is he’s in America and I’m in England. The America doctors are concerned about potential blood clot especially as I would have to do a 9hours flight back. Also, I need 12 weeks and getting this time off work means no pay and I’m concerned about this i.e. financial side of things. Is there any insights some can give me on this. Also as a donor do you get any after effect like gastro discomforts?

By: Garry

Garry — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:41:00 +0000

Hi Cyn, to be honest, I don’t feel any different to before the operation, so for me as the donor I could do anything I could do before the op…. except donate a kidney of course

For the recipient, having an extra kidney means you have to be a bit careful of contact sports etc as the new kidney is not as well protected… but running a marathon, yeah, if you could do it before, you will be able to do it after

By: Cyn

Cyn — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:07:12 +0000

Well, I am a match to give a kidney to my father and I am wondering what type of physical activity can you do or that you have done? Would you be able to run a marathon if you wanted?

By: Garry

Garry — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:19:40 +0000

Hi Kat, I would find out about the heart condition first and whether that is going to prevent you being a live donor. It may be ok though, I’m no doctor
It’s a great thing to do for someone, just try and gather as much info as possible beforehand so you are fully aware of what goes on and more importantly what risks are involved.

By: Kat

Kat — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:25:02 +0000

I am considering being a live donor for a member of my church. I have never considered doing something like this before, but feel driven to help this family. I know if anyone in my family needed help I Would do it in a heart beat! Right now my biggest concerns are a benign heart valve condition that causes me to have an irregular heart beat under anesthesia and gaining 100% support form my family members. I feel like God has given me two kidneys, they really aren’t mine, they are his, so I should help
this family if I am able.

By: Updates, or lack of · Photography Basics

Updates, or lack of · Photography Basics — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:58:42 +0000

[...] last few weeks, since having an operation, I was hoping to get loads of useful info on this site and really get it going, but as usual life [...]