Hello all...

I have completed all the processes and tests to donate a kidney to a friend of mine later this year and have been given the green light by every doctor I've seen so far. I'm curious if anyone out there has donated an organ and if it had any long term effects on you physically or mentally. The doctors have prepared me for the effects that may occur after donating but I am curious if there is anything else I should expect since I have been on hormone therapy for almost 4 years now. 

Thank you for any input!!   

-Spark

Dude, I have no idea but wanted to reply and tell you that you're awesome for hooking up your friend.  Good luck.

What Mister said in the above.

Best of luck to you and your friend Sparky.

i can't think of anything offhand.

if you want to ask the expert of experts, give Dr. Nick Gorton at Lyon Martin a call. 415.565.7667.  Front desk staff is pushy, but ask to be transferred to his voicemail.  he'll call you back.

Quote from: Sparky on May 28, 2009, 12:28:02 AM
Awesome!! Thanks! Ill give em a call tomorrow - the doctors I have talked to so far seemed a little unsure.

Thanks again!!

No problem.  Let me know if you have trouble getting any response from them.  I'm a patient there and come to think of it...  I'll ask at my appointment on Friday.  Not with Nick, but they deal with tons of trans patients.

Hi Beautiful thing to offer.

I'm in the field as a scientist.
You must match for your  HLA type, both HLA-A, B, DR, DP and DQ. For a kidney the match does not have to be exact. It never is except in ID twins. Your risk: we have two kidneys for a reason. If one fails the other can cope, and cope well. If both fail; not good. If you donate a kidney you are putting your life at risk. If your single kidney fails you will need a transplant. That said, many people live with one kidney without dialysis. What you are offering your friend is gorgeous. You are offering life. The medics will take you through it, and do talk to the psychologist on the Unit. Sometimes the biggest problem is the person recieveng the graft. Dead peoples tissue, friends organs. Difficult to got

I am humbled by your selflessness, you are one cool dude!

I'm sure your physicians and others can give you the best information as to what to expect and the impact it will have.

Thank you.

-Sandy

That is really nice of you.

You give me reason to believe there are still decent people in the world.

Jay

Thank you. My dad had kidney failure and was on dialysis for a few years.. he was on two different donor lists but he died before they ever found a match.  I was too young to be a candidate and he wouldn't have let me, anyway.  I really appreciate what you're doing.

There's this new operation for donors that I read about a few months ago.. where they make a smaller incision, through the belly button, and pull the kidney out that way.  It means a much shorter recovery time for the donor- days instead of weeks out of commission.  I don't think it's feasible for all donors, but you might want to mention it to your doctor anyway and see what he says.

Hey Sparky.


I asked my doc today, who works at the same office as Nick Gorton.  She said she couldn't think of anything that would pose a special concern, but would talk to him about it and get back to me.  Not sure if you were able to chat with him or not, but I'll relay any other info I get on the subject.

And again... you rule!

That's real nice. Hope everything goes well for you two. Don't know anything about transplants to offer you.

SilverFang