Becoming A Donor

Deciding to become a donor was not difficult for me.  It was sort of just something I knew I should do.  I’m not saying this is how anyone else would feel about the same decision, and I consulted my friends and family to see how they felt before I voiced my decision to anyone else.  Everyone’s journey in this respect is different. If you are considering donation you should listen to what your heart tells you, and talk to your family.

The next step was making sure I was physically (and mentally) fit to become a living donor. It was immediately clear that my health was of the utmost concern to the transplant team, and if any part of this donation was going to threaten my well being, they would not proceed.  I went through a long series of tests. Lots of blood tests, cross-matches, a CT scan with this dye they put in your blood that makes you feel like you peed yourself (seriously …  it does!), a test where they inject you with radioactive isotopes and watch them circulate through your organs, ultrasounds, a 2 hour psychological interview, the list goes on and on.

I was not a blood type match, but Lynda (my recipient) and I were told that I may still potentially be able to donate directly to her.  This depended on her antibody levels to my blood and tissue, and she would have to be put on a complex regimen of anti-rejection drugs prior to the donation which would severely suppress her immune system.

Our situation was a little different than most, because we were a mismatched pair.  Being told that it may still be possible to donate directly to Lynda was wonderful, but after a while the process seemed like it just wasn’t going anywhere.  After my initial testing we would be tested for antibody levels every few months. They would sort of go up and down, but it seemed like we were waiting for nothing.  It got to be very discouraging.  I ended up doing some of my tests again because it had been over a year. Finally, they told us her antibody levels were simply too high.  

Fortunately, there was another option.  We could be put into the matching cycle for the Paired Exchange Program.  (Click here for a link to a description of the Paired Exchange Program - it's basically a big switcheroo) I was skeptical about this as Lynda has type O blood.  Type O is basically the “universal donor” so it would be highly unlikely that there would be a mismatched pair with a type O donor.  I got into the habit of calling Michael (our transplant coordinator) every couple of months just to remind him we were still here and waiting patiently.  This whole experience has been an exercise in patience to say the least.  After a while I started to get really upset with the system, and it started to feel like we were being forgotten. It seems like every time I start to feel this way the light appears at the end of the tunnel.

On October 24, 2011 I got an email that simply said “Please call me at the transplant office. I have some good news for you.” My heart raced.  I was so excited … could it be?!  It was!!  We were matched in the Paired Exchange Program!  We were so excited!  

After speaking with Michael, I learned that my kidney would be going to someone in Montreal.  Someone younger than me, but that was all he could tell me. I would have to travel to Montreal to complete the exchange.  I was a bit concerned about the trip, but not enough to dampen my excitement or deter me from the process in any way.  I was elated, and knew that I was going to make this happen no matter what.  

Both Lynda and I had to do another crossmatch based on our new donor and recipient.  I had to do a TB skin test and a glucose tolerance test as well, since Montreal has a different checklist of tests to do before donation. I passed both with flying colours! 

And then there was more waiting for a tentative date.  This process involves A LOT of waiting. You sort of have to get good at the waiting game, and learn how to be patient.  I’m still learning it seems, but it is always when my patience gets the thinnest that I am rewarded with good news, so I take comfort in the waiting pattern.  

From this point on I kept a journal of my thoughts and feelings. It started from the point at which I got a tentative date and ended the evening before being admitted to the hospital. There were sooo many ups and downs during this time. I have posted the journal entries separately. If you would like to read them, I think that would be the best way to get a feel for what was happening.This was definitely the most intense period of time for me emotionally. I’m a very emotional person and documenting how I felt was very therapeutic, and as it turns out it was a fantastic way for me to look back on my experience.