| Author |
Message |
max
Member
Username: Max
Post Number: 3
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010 - 05:25 pm: | 
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Hi All,
My journey started back in March when I had made the decision to be a Living Donor (Kidney). After my initial call with the Living Donor Advocate I learned that it could be 6 to 8 months before the actual donation. That was a bit hard for me because my personality is that of when I decide to do something - I'm like - 'NOW'. Well as all of you know - it doesn't happen that way. And going through all the testing and meeting the Transplant Team at the UWMC has been a wonderful part of this journey.
And with that - having gone through all the testing - I received an email last week from the Transplant Coordinator that a recipient had been chosen and my donation date is set for Oct. 20th. Now that a recipient had been chosen - Something Changed - a whole new feeling. This was no longer just something I was going to do - there's now somebody else involved. Up until that email - it's been just me - now there's "US" - now there's someone with HOPE - now there's someone counting on me to be there on the 20th - now someones prayers are getting answered - and I get to be a part of that - does it get any better?
What has been so incredible about this journey, is that since it began I have had such a comforting feeling - to the likes I've never felt. I wonder sometimes why I don't feel any apprehension or anxiety. When I read about some of the heads-up's in regards to pain, constipation and discomfort - I wonder why I don't think twice about what I'm about to do -- I can only say that I feel such a warm calming feeling - that I can't put words on it - I know that any pain or discomforts I have will be minimal to what the recipient has been living through.
I really appreciate those who have gone before me - as all this information is priceless. I truly feel blessed to be a part of such a elite group.
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Chad
Member
Username: Horace_mann
Post Number: 118
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 07:14 pm: |
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Max – Oct. 20 will be 3 years and 15 days since I donated and I can honestly say what you’re feeling now doesn’t get old and it doesn’t go away. Also wonderful that you and the recipient have some time to contemplate and look forward to the event. It will be a grand day!
Several months back I was interviewed for a book about living donors. The author (a medical ethicist) had been asking the same set of 20 or so questions to every living organ donor she could find. One of the questions was something like, “Did you have any fears, doubts or second thoughts about living organ donation?” Your comments in your final paragraph summed up nicely what every single person she had interviewed had said. Something else takes over – a peace and calm that can only be felt by those who’ve taken this less traveled road….and it makes all the difference to you AND to someone else.
Bless you for staying the course Max and keep us posted.
| Chad - non-directed kidney donor Oct. 2007 |
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Heather
Forum Leader
Username: Heather
Post Number: 3068
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 10:44 pm: |
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Hi Max and welcome to the site. I don't think I have welcomed you yet. What a wonderful story!! Oct. 20 will be here before you know it. You are doing a wonderful thing. Please keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing these weeks before surgery and after.
Heather
Forum Leader - Living Organ Donation
Heather's Blog
EC Illinois, USA
Kidney donor to dad 12/1/99
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Lukes, Chicago
DONATE LIFE |
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max
Member
Username: Max
Post Number: 8
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 10:33 am: |
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Chad / Heather,
Thanks for the replies - I will definitely keep the boards updated. It is so great to have this place - to be able and communicate with people who have already taken this journey -
Chad - you mentioned your interview, when is the book (is there a title yet) due to be released? I think anything / everything that brings more awareness to Living Donations the better -
max
uwmc, WA
"We are continually faced with great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems." |
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Chad
Member
Username: Horace_mann
Post Number: 119
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 01:57 pm: |
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The book has yet to be released - some time in 2011 if I remember correctly. The similarities in personalities, family structure, occupations, thoughts and feeling was striking. It's as if live donors were cast in the same mold.
When it comes out I'll be sure to let everyone know.
| Chad - non-directed kidney donor Oct. 2007 |
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Liver Giver
Forum Leader
Username: Beteboop
Post Number: 773
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 12:08 pm: |
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Hi Max,
As Heather said October will be here before you know it! I know that my donation changed my entire life!!!
Keep us updated and I look forward to hearing great things from you going forward!
Welcome to our family!
Dawn
Forum Leader Living Organ Donation
Liver Donor 11/19/07 to brother Anthony
Good and bad things happen in life, but what matters, what defines us, is how we handle them |
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max
Member
Username: Max
Post Number: 11
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 12:29 pm: |
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Thanks Dawn - it is closing in quickly, I'm so looking forward to that day. Yesterday while driving home from the store - this thought hit me / if something happened (like an auto accident) - it now, not only affects myself and my family but also the recipient and their family. Just a thought I wanted to share . . .
Also, yesterday I got a call from the Hospital Surgery Scheduler going over upcoming Pre-Op appointment (10/18) and the likes . .. . . .
This is awesome . . . . .
max
uwmc, WA
"We are continually faced with great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems." |
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LadyDi
Forum Leader
Username: Ladydi
Post Number: 2435
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 03:40 pm: |
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The time passes quickly - we look forward to hearing all the updates as the time approaches. Glad to know your family is supportive and will be able to help you.
Kidney Donor to Husband 10/30/07
Forum Leader-Living Organ Donation
Barnes Jewish Hospital St. Louis, Mo
My Donation Story
I walk slowly, but I never walk backward - Abraham Lincoln |
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Chad
Member
Username: Horace_mann
Post Number: 120
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 06:20 pm: |
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I was thinking, the surgical team could have asked me to use a magic marker to write on my left side, "take this one" PRIOR to administering the first relaxing dose of anesthesia. Seems like I actually wrote, "tacky fish gone." Not too sure what that meant.
Note to Max: once you know which kidney they're going to take you could come up with a very creative note/art work for the surgeon and do it all the night before. That would be impressive....and probably more easily understood.
| Chad - non-directed kidney donor Oct. 2007 |
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max
Member
Username: Max
Post Number: 12
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 06:34 pm: |
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I like it ! - they have already determined that the left kidney is the one. Time to get the wife (Jen) thinking also - she loves this kind of thing . . . . .
Thanks - we'll let you know what we come up with . . . . . .
who knew donating a kidney could be so much fun
max
uwmc, WA
"We are continually faced with great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems." |
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max
Member
Username: Max
Post Number: 13
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 06:48 pm: |
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LadyDi - I do have an awesome support system / my wife (Jennifer), my sister (Karen) who actually works at a local Dialysis Unit - she was so surprised when I told her what I was doing. My daughter and my step-son and his fiance are all very supportive. Jennifer has been by my side at all appointments and Karen has only missed one - Jennifer, Karen and my daughter will all be there for the operation. Jennifer has agreed to keep the forum updated on the day of surgery.
Thanks everyone for such a warm and inviting welcome into this special family . .
max
uwmc, WA
"We are continually faced with great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems." |
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