I donated a kidney to my 21 year old son in 2001 at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver. My recovery took a bit longer than his, but then he had a healthy kidney for the first time in a long time while my body had to get used to the change, clear the anesthetic out, and I was 54 at the time, so it was really a couple of months before I got back to my normal energy level. Since then, however, everything has been fine. People often ask what it’s like living with one kidney, and I honestly have to say I don’t notice any difference. I can do everything I did before donating. The idea that it was a very brave thing to do also seems odd to me. Parents will often say something like “I’d give my right arm to make my child well,” but really all I had to do was give him a kidney which I don’t even miss. It was thrilling to see him healthy and full of energy after the transplant.
Thank you so much for being our first donor to share a story with Rock 1 Kidney, Betsy! All our best to you and your son!