Has anyone ever donated a kidney?

[MetaMan]

Anyone have any inside info?

what are the side effects, what is the process. etc etc.

anyone donate one or know someone who has?

[Hotrocket]

My ex brother in law gave one of his kidneys to his mom about 20 years ago (he was about 25 at the time).
The surgery and the recovery was harder on him than it was on her in the short term but within 6-8 months he was pretty much back to normal and his mom has been problem free since the transplant. He was in the hospital about 4-5 days, she was in for about 8-10 days if I recall correctly.

Some issues for him were complete elimination of any soft drinks, alcohol or processed drinks - for life - since he only has one kidney now and needs it to work perfectly if he's to live a long life without problems of his own.

He took some type of meds during the recovery period but that ended fairly quickly.
His mom had to take multiple meds to guard against rejection and other potential issues for several years but they tapered off as time went on, She did experience some significant weight gain/bloating from the Prednisone but that went away on its own after about a year.

[ottopottomouse]

I'll treble the price if you donate two.

[marketsmart]

yes, i have donated a kidney two times....




,

[scuba steve]

i have a scar from when i got my appendix taken out when i was 6. i tell girls i just donated a kidney. they fall for it everytime

[CurrentlySober]

Literally, no. But figuratively I've donated two...

I have a signed donar card, that I carry in my wallet.

[mightyjoe]

why donate? sell it. in my place one kidney will get you a 2nd hand car

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by Hotrocket

My ex brother in law gave one of his kidneys to his mom about 20 years ago (he was about 25 at the time).
The surgery and the recovery was harder on him than it was on her in the short term but within 6-8 months he was pretty much back to normal and his mom has been problem free since the transplant. He was in the hospital about 4-5 days, she was in for about 8-10 days if I recall correctly.

Some issues for him were complete elimination of any soft drinks, alcohol or processed drinks - for life - since he only has one kidney now and needs it to work perfectly if he's to live a long life without problems of his own.

He took some type of meds during the recovery period but that ended fairly quickly.
His mom had to take multiple meds to guard against rejection and other potential issues for several years but they tapered off as time went on, She did experience some significant weight gain/bloating from the Prednisone but that went away on its own after about a year.

this is something i am looking into, do you have his email or anything?

id like to get some real info from real people who has experienced it.

[directfiesta]

I did .. to a starving homeless .. when coming out of the super market ...

[Calico Jack]

My ex wife donated one to someone she met online. The operation took place in the U.S. That was in 2007. She was never well again afterwards. She died last year in April.
On the other hand, my father passed away in 1985 and we donated both of his kidneys. Due to the anonymity of it all back then, we have no idea who recieved them and if the operations were successful, however I would like to think that someone, somewhere is living a healthy life because of him.
It's a serious decision and not one to be taken lightly. It will affect your life for better or for worse and you won't know that until afterwards. There is no going back.

[brassmonkey]

kidney beans to a homeless shelter

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by Calico Jack

My ex wife donated one to someone she met online. The operation took place in the U.S. That was in 2007. She was never well again afterwards. She died last year in April.
On the other hand, my father passed away in 1985 and we donated both of his kidneys. Due to the anonymity of it all back then, we have no idea who recieved them and if the operations were successful, however I would like to think that someone, somewhere is living a healthy life because of him.
It's a serious decision and not one to be taken lightly. It will affect your life for better or for worse and you won't know that until afterwards. There is no going back.

wow great info, sad to hear that my condolences. i really wonder what the side effects are. im going to chat with the kidney foundation about it.

did she pass because of the surgery?

[Mr. Cool Ice]

Not yet, but I am a donor.

[Calico Jack]

Originally Posted by MetaMan

wow great info, sad to hear that my condolences. i really wonder what the side effects are. im going to chat with the kidney foundation about it.

did she pass because of the surgery?

Officially, no. However she was plagued with infection after infection, weight loss and was essentially never the same person again. It was discovered just prior to her death that she also had Multiple Sclerosis, but it generally doesn't kill people, at least not those in their 30s.

[selena]

One of my oldest son's best friends donated one to a stranger last year. He would have been 22-ish at the time.

There was a follow up story about them in the local paper not long ago. He's doing fine; the recipient has had some problems.

If you would like me to check with him about giving permission for you to contact him, please email me.

[Vendzilla]

When I hunted, always gave the inside parts of the deer to a buddy, he loved that stuff

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by selena

One of my oldest son's best friends donated one to a stranger last year. He would have been 22-ish at the time.

There was a follow up story about them in the local paper not long ago. He's doing fine; the recipient has had some problems.

If you would like me to check with him about giving permission for you to contact him, please email me.

ok cool thanks i def will contact you, i would like to talk to someone who actually did it. kind of guide me to make sure i fully understand everything.

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by Calico Jack

Officially, no. However she was plagued with infection after infection, weight loss and was essentially never the same person again. It was discovered just prior to her death that she also had Multiple Sclerosis, but it generally doesn't kill people, at least not those in their 30s.

crazy thats sad, sorry to hear that.

have you ever thought of contacting the person who she donated it to?

i think i would be interested. or is it still anonymous?

[Calico Jack]

Originally Posted by MetaMan

crazy thats sad, sorry to hear that.

have you ever thought of contacting the person who she donated it to?

i think i would be interested. or is it still anonymous?

As I said, she was my ex wife at the time, so I don't have all the details. However, the story was in the media. From what I can gather and what I've been told by her family, a great friendship developed before the procedure between her and the recipient (a male from the U.S). However it is my understanding that after the operation, contact was kept for a month or so then suddenly ceased. I am not aware of the reasons why or whose choice that was.

[Kiopa_Matt]

Are you really considering giving one of your kidneys away? Come on, don't be stupid, unless its to one of your children or something. Then if you die or have a rough life, then no worries, as it's for your kid(s).

Mother nature gave you two kidneys for a reason though. And it wasn't so you could give one of them away.

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by RDFrame

Are you really considering giving one of your kidneys away? Come on, don't be stupid, unless its to one of your children or something. Then if you die or have a rough life, then no worries, as it's for your kid(s).

Mother nature gave you two kidneys for a reason though. And it wasn't so you could give one of them away.

"giving away" i dont consider things i either do it or dont.

sorry in my world we are all human beings. the entire point of a donation is doing something to help someone live.

that is all you fucking haters in the world today. anytime someone does something all you preach is misguided hate. then when something does get done you are the very same people with your hand out looking for credit.

here is an opinion for you keep it to yourself loser.

[Kiopa_Matt]

Originally Posted by MetaMan

that is all you fucking haters in the world today. anytime someone does something all you preach is misguided hate. then when something does get done you are the very same people with your hand out looking for credit.

here is an opinion for you keep it to yourself loser.

Ummm, ok. I do MORE than enough to help people out who can't do it themselves, thank you very much. I'm not about to give away a kidney though. If you want, by all means, go for it. Not my body.

Don't assert I'm a selfish prick because I'm not willing to give a kidney away though.

[harvey]

no, but if things continue this way I might need one or two, so please don't donate

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by RDFrame

Ummm, ok. I do MORE than enough to help people out who can't do it themselves, thank you very much. I'm not about to give away a kidney though. If you want, by all means, go for it. Not my body.

Don't assert I'm a selfish prick because I'm not willing to give a kidney away though.

Please point out where i said you are selfish?

all i am saying is calling people "stupid" for doing is bullshit. it is the easy thing to do.

trust me im not your moral high ground type.

it is simple, i am interested in helping a stranger. i am just super thankful for my life, family friends etc. and the older i get the more i realize my own hypocrisy as a human being.

everyone talks about doing shit all the time. im tired of talking everyone talks about action i have decided in my life i want to only take action.

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by RDFrame

Ummm, ok. I do MORE than enough to help people out who can't do it themselves, thank you very much. I'm not about to give away a kidney though. If you want, by all means, go for it. Not my body.

Don't assert I'm a selfish prick because I'm not willing to give a kidney away though.

this isnt something about "look at me im so great". i dont even think it is your job as a human being to help others per say.

but if its something i believe in then i should be living it as proof. or what is the point of believing in it in the first place?

[Kiopa_Matt]

Originally Posted by MetaMan

all i am saying is calling people "stupid" for doing is bullshit. it is the easy thing to do.

Alright, fair enough, and my apologies. I was an idiot for calling you stupid. My apologies.

However, if this is a route you want to take, make sure to talk to a few high-end doctors first. Giving away a kidney is a big thing, and can fuckup the rest of your life as you know it.

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by RDFrame

Alright, fair enough, and my apologies. I was an idiot for calling you stupid. My apologies.

However, if this is a route you want to take, make sure to talk to a few high-end doctors first. Giving away a kidney is a big thing, and can fuckup the rest of your life as you know it.

all good, im just tired of living in a hypocritical society and me being apart of it. i want to look at myself and say i truly am not afraid of standing up. ever. and not just saying things but using actions to speak.

i understand what you are saying this is not like buying and selling a car. it is life changing. and i plan on investigating fully.

i just think giving something to a complete stranger and being able to meet that person, their family, even for a coffee would be life changing.

i am seeking something like this in my life already. so we will see what happens.

[Spunky]

They can have all they want when I die or get killed ,if there is anything worth saving

[kaori]

I forgot to reply yesterday - but I think it's awesome of you to consider it... basically letting someone live...

[candyflip]

[aubreythree]

never did that before

[area51 - BANNED FOR LIFE]

Originally Posted by candyflip

[MetaMan]

Originally Posted by kaori

I forgot to reply yesterday - but I think it's awesome of you to consider it... basically letting someone live...

meh not awesome until i do anything, until its done i really havent done shit hehe. not the type to take undue credit.

[GrouchyAdmin]

You're gonna die alone and your relative is dying because of something you did.

SO MUCH FOR SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!

[fris]

about 5 or 6 times

[jesse_adultdatingdollars]

I hope by the time im really fucked up they have tons of extra organs for us to just throw in a new part