organ donation

Kidney donation (part 6 – surgery & beyond)

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Wow. I woke up the first time Tuesday 3/23/21 with both kidneys and went to sleep for the night with one.

Here’s my surgery and post surgery updates so far:

Tuesday pre surgery: arrived at the hospital and checked in. Was brought back very quickly and provided my beautiful gown and yellow socks. Had an IV put in and was deemed eligible for a nerve block (this really helps the pain level in recovery). Got pushed the anesthesia and went away. They then spent time positioning my body, installing a 2nd IV while I was asleep, and installing my catheter. They got to work and active surgery time was approx 90 minutes.

Tuesday post surgery: I “woke up” in the recovery room. This was the most pain I experienced. Was here for 3-4 hours and they gave me really great, fast acting pain killers. Around 3:30pm, I was moved to my hospital room. After the nurses did their initial evaluation, my visitor was able to come see me. I was pretty thirsty and started drinking water. Dinner was clear liquids (yay ice pops for dinner).

Wednesday: Catheter removed (this went way better than I was afraid!). Transitioned from the pain button to oral pain meds. Told to get up and start walking! Allowed to eat real foods which I enjoyed immensely.

Thursday: Got the ok to go home! Was taking very little pain medication other than extra strength Tylenol at this point. Also got the ok to visit my recipient!! This was the highlight of my stay. The drive home required a few stops to ensure the risk of clots was reduced and because Pennsylvania’s 78 sucks from a surface perspective.

Saturday: I’m back home. Comfortably watching tv, reading, and scrolling my phone. The only pain killer I need currently is Tylenol. I’m eating normally, drinking lots of fluid, and today I took a (slow) half mile walk to the mailbox and back.

Following Thursday: Had my post op follow up. Everything looks great. Reminded not to do anything strenuous for 6-8 weeks post surgery but encouraged to continue walking as much as desired. My donor is expected to be released tomorrow. I go back to work Monday.

Please consider live donation.

Are there considerations? Of course.

Is everyone a suitable candidate? No.

But my gosh – this process has been absurdly simple and easy from my perspective and experience.

⁃ No major, long term lifestyle adjustments for me.

⁃ Short hospital stint followed by home recovery.

⁃ Donor’s do not use their own insurance for this.

⁃ I’ll be back to work in no time. 2 weeks off total (although some need closer to 4 and strenuous jobs will need 8) and I was covered under short term disability.

The payoff? Life.

I met a former recipient at my follow up appointment. He had received his kidney 12 years ago and he expressed such immense gratitude to me for donating upon meeting me and shared what it had done for his life.

I’ve talked to friends who have either received an organ, donated an organ, or had a loved one receive an organ – there is such need and such an amazing payoff.

While the kidney is the most commonly donated organ, other organs you can make a living donation of include your liver (it regenerates), your pancreas, your lung, or a portion of your intestines.

If an organ is intimidating – I encourage you to do something. Donate blood, platelets, bone, bone marrow, skin, time, or money.

Please consider being an organ donor and ensure your family is aware of your desires.

If you have ANY questions – hit me up. I’m more than happy to answer any of them!

Kidney Donation (part 5 3/22/2021)

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18 months ago (several years ago actually for initial screening) I embarked on a journey to determine if I was a suitable candidate to donate my kidney to a loved one. I received much support and love (thank you all) but just before surgery it was determined that donation needed to be put on hold for a while.

Over the last few weeks I’ve undergone updated testing again and we are all systems “go”. We’re scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning (Tuesday the 23rd).

I am fortunate to have an incredibly vast support system of people in my life. To ensure people interested in the outcome can get updates easily, I’ve created a website with the help of the non profit Caring Bridge. Dave Isaacs is not only going to take my ass to the hospital at 5am tomorrow but will also post an update once we’re successfully out of surgery.

Update is expected around 11am or noon so log in then to see it I’m doing well or if it’s time to fight over my valuables!

https://www.caringbridge.org/public/shannonrucker

Kidney Donation (part 4)

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At my transplant hospital, there is a pair of adjoining OR rooms blocked out every Tuesday for live kidney transplants. Adjoining rooms is the best option for transplants as it has the lowest amount of time between kidney out and kidney in.

When I arrive they’ll put me to sleep and once I’m under anesthesia, they’ll place compression boots on my feet/legs to minimize the chance of clots, and they’ll give me a catheter. To be perfectly honest – I’m scared of the catheter. I’ve never had one and that is the part of the procedure I am least looking forward to (at least I’ll be unconscious).

Doc will cut me open and they’ll perform the surgery. The technique my surgeon chose is a hand assisted technique (hands remain one of the most advanced tools available). My largest incision will be a vertical cut of 3-4” below my belly button. I will also have a few minor incisions to install instrument ports for the camera and other tools used.

Once my kidney is out, they’ll sew me up, start waking me up, and take me to the recovery room. I’ll need to spend two or three days in the hospital. They’ll remove the catheter while I’m awake. I’m not looking forward to this.

At. All. They’ll make me get up and start walking around the next day. I can go home once I can eat and pee on my own.

They’ve warned me that often this is when the really difficult part begins for donors.

Recipients enter the hospital feeling awful. Their bodies have had nearly poisonous blood circulating for years. They’re generally weak and don’t feel super great. Once they receive a working kidney – they start feeling better immediately (because their blood gets cleaned!).

Conversely: donors are healthy. They enter surgery feeling pretty great. Then they have a major organ cut out. They go from feeling physically good and altruistic to feeling pretty banged up and often the ‘excitement’ disappears.

I’m hopeful my recovery will be smooth. I have a great support network and a LOT to look forward to once I heal. I’m hoping this combination is enough to stave off depression. I know that if I experience it though – it’s normal and my transplant staff will ensure I get the assistance I need.

I’m also REALLY excited that my recipient may start to feel better. I love her very much. I’ve known her my whole life and she wrote a song about me that I still sing on occasion.

I’m also really excited about the ripple effect this may have. A person close to me is now considering live donation. I’ve had several people tell me they are considering platelet donation as a result of my blogs. I’ve also raised a little bit of money for the National Kidney Foundation.

I’m really hoping that this continues. You don’t need to have much to make a big difference and I hope you consider making a meaningful difference in someone’s life.