I wish this was me but I am not this thin! Anyway, this gives you an idea of what laparoscopic scars looks like over time. It’s amazing how small the incisions are. When I look at my largest one I am amazed they got a kidney through it! Kidneys are pretty small.
Recovery is going more slowly than I anticipated. I get winded when I walk just a mile, get a sharp stitch in my left side off and on, and it’s hard to sleep because I am not comfortable in one position very long. I guess from all that I read I thought I would be further along but I am not following my own advice of not comparing myself to others.
A lot of people have asked me what my restrictions are since I only have one kidney. They assume that I can’t drink alcohol, have to have a special diet etc. Not so. Long term studies have shown that kidney donors live as long or even longer than the rest of the population. Yet there are things to monitor. So here is a summary of life with one kidney, taken from these sites:
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Physical effects: When one kidney is removed, the single normal kidney will increase in size to compensate for the loss of the donated kidney.
Possible effects of a solitary kidney:
- High blood pressure. Many people who lose or donate a kidney are found to have slightly higher blood pressure after several years.
- Proteinuria. Excessive protein in the urine… People are often found to have higher-than-normal levels of protein in their urine after they have lived with one kidney for several years.
- Reduced GFR. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) shows how efficiently your kidneys are removing wastes from your bloodstream. People have a reduced GFR if they have only one kidney.
- You can have these conditions and still feel fine. As long as they are under control, they will probably not affect your health or longevity. Schedule regular checkups with your doctor to monitor these conditions.
Follow-up: Every year get a urinalysis and have your blood pressure checked. Kidney function should be checked (creatinine levels and GFR etc.)
Diet: A heart healthy diet is recommended, basically the same recommendations for everyone. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and high fiber foods. Limit salt and fat intake. Avoid fad high protein diets since too much protein stresses the kidney.
Medications Avoid NSAIDs such as Aleve, Motrin, Advil and aspirin. These pain relievers are hard on the kidneys. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) only.
Activity: Some professionals suggest that people with one kidney should avoid contact sports. Anyone with a single kidney who decides to participate in these sports should be extra careful and wear protective padding. Then again, one study indicated that motor vehicle collisions and bike riding accidents were more likely than sports injuries to seriously damage the kidneys.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy is possible but is usually not recommended for at least six months after the surgery.
Occupational Restrictions: Some branches of military service, police and fire departments will not accept individuals with only one kidney.
Hi there, how wonderful of you to donate a kidney. My brother donated one about 6 months ago. I find it interesting how different hospitals, studies can vary. He was told to be careful with alcohol. That alcohol per se was fine but it is a blood thinner and with only one kidney the vessels leading to it can become thin and inhibit the flow through them, so drinking is fine but not to get drunk too often, lol. Contact sports. If you are a rugby player you will know that a boot in the kidney area is pretty common. but when you have two kidneys the damage isnt noticed as both kidney do the job. But if you were to be kicked in the only kidney, it could cause some comlications. So one should wear protective belt if playing a contact sport.
Recovery varies considerably with each individual. I have heard people say that they find sleeping much better if they can raise the back of the bed as in the hospital i.e. sleep slightly raised. Using lots of pillow with a pillow then vertical along them to support the back gives the same result and aids breathing and also sleep for some reason. Have to remember that even though keyhole surgery, it was a major operation you had and the body has to heal. All sorts of things go on that we don’t see and for the healing to take place our body slows down so we feel tired. It is always best to give into tiredness after operation or it will delay the healing process.
I wish you all the very best, and God Bless for what you have done.
Maureen
Comment by Maureen — September 3, 2011 @ 9:59 am |
Thanks for your kind words.
Comment by anne315 — September 5, 2011 @ 11:55 am |
i donated a kidney 11 months ago. my recovery was very slow but this was due to complications, but now 11 months on i don’t feel any different to how i did before or changed any of my lifestyle. as for drinking, i was told i can drink as long as its not a ‘heavy’ night every weekend but a glass of wine with a meal is fine. my keyhole scars are a pinky colour but are fading and my main one is fading too although i still have some numbness in it but they said this is quiet common and nothing to worry about.
if anyone wants to donate id say do it but make sure you have support around you as you will need it!! if anyone wants to know anymore, then feel free to message me. xx
Comment by Gemma Lloyd ╪ — September 4, 2011 @ 12:52 pm |
Congrats on your donation and thanks for posting!
Comment by anne315 — September 5, 2011 @ 11:56 am |
I just donated a kidney 3 weeks ago. I was part of an amazing chain so that my dad could get a kidney. He had been on dialysis after his kidneys failed do to PKD (Polysystic Kidney Disease). I, too, have found it more difficult to sleep, especially on my side (which was my typical postition before surgery). I sleep with many pillows and find that sleeping propped up is the most comfortable for me. I am off pain medications, including extra strength Tylenol, but I do feel a pain in my left side every so often.
I had never had surgery prior to this (not even so much as a tooth pulled) so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, other than what my doctors and nurses explained. I have been shocked at how tired I get just by doing nominal tasks like walking and running errands. I just started driving short distances two days ago. I was told that it could take up to 3-4 months before I feel like myself again.
This week I am going to attempt to go back to work half days and see how it goes. I am a high school counselor so its more emotional/mental stress than physical. My doctor told me he would release me but if I felt like it was too much/too soon to let him know and not to be afraid to take more time off work (since I’m blessed to have that luxury). I asked when I could start exercising and he told me I could walk but not to over do it-to listen to my body.
My dad is also doing well! He said his energy level is about the same as the days that he was NOT on dailysis. He was going to dialysis three times a day but now does not have to anymore since the transplant. We are all praying that it works and that his body doesn’t reject his new kidney.
I would encourage anyone who was able and willing to donate a kidney-the “good” definitely outweighs the “bad”.
Overall, I feel very blessed that God chose me to be an active participant in this amazing experience! I am glad to have been able to give a better quality of life to the same man who gave me my life-my DAD!
Comment by Jenn — September 5, 2011 @ 12:46 am |
Those chains are amazing. I was going to be in a chain but it was taking so long that the coordinator and I decided to just go for a one on on donation. Congrats on your donation, you have done a great thing. You are right, the good outweighs the bad by far.
Comment by Anne — September 5, 2011 @ 11:59 am |
I thought that was a picture of you! You are doing so great…after doing such a great thing!
Comment by kris — September 5, 2011 @ 9:55 pm |
these coments have been so helpful. my brother has kidney and is going to have to have his left kidney removed i was really worried about how he would make it with only one your comments were so helpful thank you and god bless each one of you.s smith
Comment by shirley smith — September 27, 2011 @ 10:55 pm |
HI all decided to input my few cents into this. I am 34 and lost my kidney to cancer. I am still in recovery stages and that’s why I came to this forum. I have been hearing somewhat different accounts about life with one kidney and wanted to know more and especially about physical part of life. I love outdoors and snowboarding and life with out it would seem particularly hard. I have a 3 year old and caring her around is something I love doing and I know she enjoys greatly too. So as you can imagine I am worried that I might have to put hold on these activities since some things I heard limit me physically.
As for recovery I would like to say: it takes so much longer then anticipated. I have family friend who had hart surgery, he was out day 3, back home. I on other hand barely walked on day 4, also I do get tired fairly easy and walking has its discomforts in the left side of my body (I lost left kidney). Of course I am trying to gradually increase my distances, but I have a feeling it will be at least a month or two before I will be able to run. Of course I am shore different people have different physical capabilities, and maybe someone else may be able to do same with in much shorter time frame.
As for drinking, my doctor saying I can have a drink with out problem, I never was big on drinking before the surgery so I don’t think I will be kin on drinking after =) but its nice to know that I can enjoy occasional drink.
Well good luck all, and if someone has more info on what can I do and where are the limits physically, please do share.
Comment by vlad k — October 9, 2011 @ 2:12 am |
It gets better but as you say, it seems to take a long time. Each week (I am starting week 8) I feel improvement. A donor told me that in three months it feels like nothing has happened. Talk to your doctors about physical activity. Opinions on this have changed over the years and it seems like donors can do a lot more than previously recommended. Useful forums are here: http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/experiences/experiences.htm
This site http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/solitarykidney/ says:
Avoiding Injury:Some doctors may advise patients with a solitary kidney to avoid contact sports like boxing, football, and hockey. One study indicated that motor vehicle collisions and bike riding accidents were more likely than sports injuries to seriously damage the kidneys. In recent years, athletes with a single working kidney have participated in sports competition at the highest levels. Having a solitary kidney should not automatically disqualify you from sports participation. Children should be encouraged to engage in some form of physical activity, even if contact sports are ruled out. Protective gear such as padded vests worn under a uniform can make limited contact sports like basketball or soccer safe. Doctors, parents, and patients should consider the risks of any activity and decide whether the benefits outweigh those risks
This site http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingDonors/infoQA.cfm?id=7 says:
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical Society of Sports Medicine have suggested that people with one kidney avoid sports that involve higher risks of heavy contact or collision. This includes, but is not limited to, boxing, field hockey, football, ice hockey, Lacrosse, martial arts, rodeo, soccer and wrestling. This may also include extreme activities such as skydiving. Anyone with a single kidney who decides to participate in these sports should be extra careful and wear protective padding. He or she should understand that the consequences of losing a single kidney are very serious.
Some opinion points out there is a difference between a recipient and a donor in contact sports. A transplanted kidney in the front is closer to the skin surface and is more vulnerable than a donor’s remaining kidney that still has its “natural padding.” Again, consult a medical professional. Blogs and forums are a start, but don’t replace sound medical advice.
Comment by anne315 — October 9, 2011 @ 10:17 am |
Hi! I had my kidney removed in 1994 due to it not working properly from birth! I was advised not to be as active anymore and no contact sports! A year later I went back to everything I loved… Basketball and track! So as long as I stay hydrated I have been ok! I am now 29 with 2 boys that I continue to run around with! You all are strong! And I admire you guys for donating!
Comment by Rose — January 13, 2012 @ 11:54 pm |
Heyyyy, my name is Nikki and I recently contacted someone who had posted at my gym about her need for a kidney. I saw that her blood type matched mine, so I called…. I’m not even started in the whole process yet, not even sure if I’ll be a definite match or anything, but I would like to know what i’m in for just in case!! I’m really hoping this works out and I can do this for this girl, but until I know for sure, I definitely want to get as much information as I can on what to expect, etc… Just for the sake of being well informed! Any advice, personal experience stories, etc would be greatly appreciated…. Thank you!! =)
Comment by Nikki — February 19, 2012 @ 12:31 am |
Check out the resources I have here: http://anne315.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/resources-on-kidney-donation-and-transplants/ Living Donors online has a lot of donor’s experiences: http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/experiences/experiences.htmAnd two blogs/articles I found esp helpful: http://www.kidneychronicles.com/ and http://www.dynamist.com/articles-speeches/opeds/kidney.html
Comment by anne315 — February 19, 2012 @ 11:27 am |