Comments on: Summary of Living Kidney Donor evaluation and kidney donation

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:06:13 +0000

Steve,
Thank you so so much for those lovely words. I really do appreciate them. You are not being selfish at all. This is just one way to help someone. There are other ways also, the donor register which you have signed, thank you!!! You know one day that could mean you save around 9 people’s lives!!How amazing is that!

You take care now,
All the best
Di
x

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:17:43 +0000

I’m 34, your blog has made me cry, spades of tears.

How unselfish, how brave.

I recently signed up to the Donor Register and having read your blog I feel selfish, I have two kidneys and I require one. I hope one day I have your strength, your determination and your courage.

I have the utmost respect for what you have done, and I hope one day, despite my insane fear of needles, I can replicate your decision.

Steve.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:37:03 +0000

Hello Liliana,
Thank you for posting. I always think that donating to someone you know takes far more courage than donating to a stranger as there is that emotional bond to deal with as well. It is wonderful you are wanting to help your brother in this way. I will help all I can. I want to find an email for you to someone who has more knowledge about donating abroad, but I cannot access that until tomorrow and will then send it to you.

I have some questions for you on your brother’s situation which perhaps are best to relay via email. Do you think you could contact me via the contact page (link top right of this page) letting me know your email so I can contact you direct? That is if you don’t mind? It will be morning that I get back to you.

Take care
Di
x

By: Liliana

Liliana — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:22:42 +0000

Hi Diane
Your blog is amazing and such a help for those of us thinking about being a kidney donor.
To be honest, I had never thought of donating any organ when still alive! But, my brother discovered two months ago that he was suffering from a kidney disease and is already on hemodialisis! That needs some actions and quick. I am not particularly willing to go through the knife, but I wouldn´t be able to live my life as I want to live it, if I deny my brother the chance he needs, when is known that I can still live a full active life with only 1 kidney.
My concerns, apart from the obvious ones, is that I live in the UK, and my brother in Argentina. I have no clue where to start, but can imagine that things are not going to be easy…I will have to travel of course, but need to minimise these trips, as having husband and 3 boys that need me here (although two of them have left home already and the younger is 12 years old). In your experience, and knowing all about the tests, recovery after surgery, etc, etc, you think this is going to be “do-able”?
Many thanks for your inspiration!
Liliana

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:23:10 +0000

Hi Jean,
How fantastic! How far along the evaluation are you do you know? So pleased the blog is helping. Any questions please just post or if you want to contact me direct then you can use the contact form – link at top right of page.

Can I ask what inspired you to put yourself forward to donate?

Thanks
Di
x

By: Jean

Jean — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:04:04 +0000

Diane,

Thank you for the time it has taken to create this blog. I am currently undergoing tests to become an anonymous kidney donor. Your blog as been so helpful. I’m not quite finished reading it but wanted you to know how enlightening it has been. Thank you for becoming a donor!

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:36:50 +0000

Hi Jackie,
What wonderful news. I am so pleased your brother is doing well, and yes, all thanks to your kidney. Well done you. I am also pleased my blog helped. I know the whole process can be a bit daunting. 2 weeks is early, I felt tired for around 8 weeks though of course the first week was the worst and it gradually improved and by about week 5/6 I felt almost back to normal just having to have a bit of a sit during the day then 8 weeks felt back to normal. It affect people differently and I know people who never felt tired at all (lucky them!! lol).

I hope your brother has a wonderful life and is able to enjoy everything that he wants to. And your recovery shoots along. What a great time for you all.

Thanks for letting me know, it is hearing people’s stories and that my blog helped that encourages me to keep it going.

All the best
Di
xxx

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:22:00 +0000

I just want to thank you for your blog as I read it through completely in the run up to donating to my brother. It has been a real help as it was so useful to read what someone who had been through it had to say.
Every word you wrote was exactly as I found it to be so thank you.
I have donated to my brother as he has a long standing kidney problem and ended up on diaysis 4 weeks before the op just to get his bloods better for the surgery. He was only born with one kidney in the 1st place.
Since surgery 2wks ago he is flying along and feels so much better already so I guess my kidney is doing its job well !!
I am fine but tired but it is only 2 wks since op so guess I have to give myself a chance to heal.

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 03 May 2011 09:51:58 +0000

People’s reactions are often because they don’t understand and even if they do, it is not for them. But that does not mean they should judge someone else for what they do. Thanks for info and good luck with it all !!!!
Di
xx

By: Anon!

Anon! — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:05:17 +0000

Think type 2, plus my mum is on medication for high blood pressure, which the medical staff were aware of. Also some people look at me as if I’m mad when they there what I’m planning, I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions but it’s my body, I can’t think about all the ‘what ifs’, in which case I would probably never get out of bed each day!
People looking on here thinking about donating, look on web at NHSBT site, from there go to living kidney page, eventually you should see a list of all the transplant renal units in uk, I chose from the list and contacted the hospital directly.