Can you live a normal life after donating a kidney?

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor and I don't pretend to be one. This post is not intended to give medical advice.

ALWAYS refer to your medical professionals. In the case of transplants, that would be a transplant team. Experts would include the transplant surgeon and transplant coordinator.

As a living kidney donor, I get asked about my life after transplant. Some people, after finding out that someone like me donated (I was 53 at the time!), look at me a little differently. But considering life after a transplant is an important factor for everyone involved.  

When I started the process, I was relieved to find that an entire transplant team (each donor gets one) wanted to meet with me. Donor candidates and recipients have their own set of experts. Information is kept confidential and not shared between the teams. Most hospitals include a transplant coordinator, social worker, psychologist, and transplant surgeon. Each member met with me to explain their part of the process, answer my questions, and discuss how I would handle any possible complications.

In my experience, they told me that the more physically active that I was before the surgery, the quicker that I would recover. Like other inpatient surgeries, there are always risks, however small. 

After recuperating at home, I went right back to teaching in the classroom. It took me a while to get my energy back, but within a few months, I felt "normal."  As a part of the donation process, I had lab work and doctor appointments six months, one year and two years after the procedure. My remaining kidney continues to function just fine.  

As a matter of fact, because of the extremely thorough testing process (By the time I was done, I felt like I was applying to be an astronaut.), donor candidates are usually among the most healthy individuals. Talk about a good bill of health.

I don't have to take any special medicines or avoid any certain foods. Any changes that I needed to make are healthy choices for most people. 

When people ask me if my life is "back to normal," I usually say no.  It's better. I'm more aware of how blessed I am to be healthy.  I'm fascinated with the incredible life-saving and life improving medical advances. And, I'm passionate about equipping people with information to consider when they are facing kidney failure. Normal? No way. Better than ever.

What would you like to know about life after transplant?

When your friend needs a kidney

This is Terry.  I met him through a friend of mine.  She mentioned that Terry has been on dialysis for 5 years and needs a kidney.

Terry's story is common.  Due to a genetic disease, PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), his kidneys are failing.  His life has dramatically changed from working as a truck driver, riding his 2003 Harley and hanging out with friends.

Now, he spends 3 days a week, four hours each day, hooked up to a dialysis machine.  That won't last forever.  Even though there have been a lot of advancements in dialysis, time will run out.  Dialysis is a temporary fix.  It's benefits come at a cost.  You don't hear a lot about people on dialysis dying of kidney failure.  Many times, these patients die because of the tremendous stress on their heart.

The only way that Terry can regain his strength (He can't even lift 20 pounds anymore) and stamina is with a transplant.  He's done all of the things that his doctors have advised.  And, yes, he is on the waitlist.

Terry's blood type, O, could make him a universal donor (if only he were healthy). However, he can only receive a kidney with someone with Type O blood. The waiting time is long for a Type O kidney from someone is deceased. If Terry gets a kidney from a deceased donor, it will allow him to live dialysis free for an average of 7-10 years. However, with a kidney from a living donor (like I did), the "lifespan" of the kidney can double!    

And here's a sad statistic.  Every day, 18-20 people die while they are waiting for a life-saving transplant.  (Click on my "about" button to learn why I decided to give.)

Some people automatically rule themselves out because they don't have the right blood type. But there is still a way.  If someone began the testing process and "qualified" as a suitable donor, s/he could donate in something called a paired exchange.  Here's a link from the Living Kidney Donor Network (www.lkdn.org) Click here to learn how any blood type could help Terry.

I challenge you to learn more about kidney donation.  Choosing to step forward is a big decision.  It's very personal.  You can find out information about the process at the Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA by visiting this website. Call the Transplant Center's number (888-605-5888) and tell them Terry's information (His name and birthdate 3/26/58). The transplant center can answer any questions that you might have. There is even a screening form on the website.  Again, it's anonymous.  Check it out.  Who knows?  You might even be a good donor candidate.  I was floored to learn that I could donate a kidney at age 54.

I had many questions:

1. Could I afford it? Yes, because the testing, procedure and follow up would all be paid by my recipient's insurance (at no cost to her).  
2. Would I have huge scar?  Most likely no.  Most donors are operated on as a laporoscopy ( 3 small incisions and one a few centimeters long). 
3. Would I have to take medication after the surgery? No. As a matter of fact, I went right back to my normal life. (Well, except for the fact that I became much more grateful for my health.)

The process is anonymous and comes with no pressure from the medical team.  If it's not something that you would consider, inform yourself so that you can support someone who does get tested.  It can also help if you know someone who is waiting for kidney. Someone like Terry.  Just a thought.

Milestone Monday-Transplant from Living Donor Helps Cousin Thrive

(Or Five Reasons Why I would donate a kidney all over again)



1. My cousin, Denise, can spoil her grandchild. When Denise had her first child, her mom had already started dialysis. Denise's mom wanted to help her take care of the baby, but she could only stay for an hour or so.  Progression of PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), along with dialysis left her exhausted. Now, years later, Denise has all the energy that she needs.  She's even going to take care of her grandson when her daughter returns to her "day job." Talk about changing family history.

2. Denise is dialysis free. Because the transplant was done before she had to begin dialysis, Denise was able to avoid it altogether. Dialysis does not offer a cure.  It was originally designed to help patients while they wait for a transplant.  On an average, patients on dialysis may survive 5-10 years. (There is data that many can live longer.) The transplant coordinators have said that patients who can move directly to transplant feel better sooner.

3.  I feel better than ever.  As her living kidney donor, the transplant team follows my medical history for two years.  Most procedures are done as a laparoscopy. I have four small scars to remind me that transplants save lives.  Lab work and consultations are regularly scheduled to ensure that I do well.  Our second anniversary, called a "kidneyversary," is coming up this December.  I feel wonderful.

4.  Guess what?  She'll need another one. The sad news is that there is nothing in place to maintain Denise's health for the rest of her life.  Transplanted kidneys from deceased donors last an average of 7-10 years.  Kidneys from living donors, like mine, may last twice as long.  Denise and I are both in our 50s.  Unless medical research improves, Denise may face dialysis in her 80s.


5.  There is no cure for kidney disease yet. There is a lot of progress in the area of portable dialysis units, but no cure has been found.  Until that happens, I'll keep advocating for living kidney donation.  I would do it all again in a heartbeat.