How I Became a Kidney Donor - Part 3

On Tuesday night we announced to everyone that we were doing this and that it would be on March 1. That is the date we had been hoping for, but by Wednesday morning, the chances of that faded away and I was devastated yet again because we were so close, yet so far. I called and asked the living donor advocate if there was anything I could do that day, but she said no and she would be doing everything on her end for us.

Wednesday slowly dragged on because James had to be really careful with his diet since he couldn't have dialysis until Thursday and we were just on edge, not knowing what would happen. Somehow we passed the time because it finally became Thursday. Thursday was huge because our biggest hurdle was meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Cashman. He was the one who originally did not want me as the donor because he "Doesn't want to put both parents under the knife,"

We were afraid that he might say no, but actually I was able to plead my case to him and he jumped on board just like everyone else had. He is really nice and saw that I am very healthy and motivated, and ready to do this. He saw from my CT SCAN that my left kidney is the best, so that is the one they are going to take. He showed me what he will be doing during the surgery.

They will put one probe in right under my ribcage and another, with the camera, on the side. Then they will cut a three inch incision through my belly button and pull the kidney out through there. It's not a very big kidney, just the size of my fist, but it will be a great one for James. They will reattach the kidney on James' right side by his hip.

The surgeon then looked at the schedule and the 1st was not available, but he said he will do it on March 8. A few new arrangements had to be made, but we are all very happy with March 8. James and I together met with the team one more time this morning to get our picture taken for the scrapbook and to get our transplant books with instructions on what to do before and after surgery.

In 5 days I went from being the sad, frustrated and helpless wife of a kidney patient, to being the strong and tough kidney donor. It has been quite the transformation. There is hope again and I cannot wait for 10 days from now when I get to give my husband that gift that only I can give.