I donated in December 2009, traveling from Indiana to Washington, D.C. via Detroit. My surgery was on a Tuesday and I was required to stay a full week for the follow-up appointment. I presented every logical argument in an attempt to be allowed to go home, believing healing at home was in my best personal interest. I lost the argument and flew home a week after surgery. The donor coordinator contacted the transplant center of a hospital in my home town where all my subsequent follow-ups were handled.
All my expenses were paid by my family (I donated on behalf of my cousin) but I am frugal regardless of who is paying. Sherri gave you a suggestion of where to stay (she's an awesome support, called me post-op and made my day!). Anyway, check with the transplant center for deals they have with area hotels. I donated at Georgetown and they have arrangements with a lovely suite hotel. We were quoted $50.00 a night and learned at check out it was $25.00/night. Much better than their advertised price of $300/night. It had a kitchenette and was close to the hospital for hubby and, even with the close proximity, the ride back from the hospital was a real joy!
My gripe about the hotel was that the bed was too high, the loo too low and there was no real alternate seating outside of a rigid desk chair.
I took a friend's suggestion for the return trip and had arranged for a wheelchair at the airports. It was a brilliant idea, one I would suggest to anyone traveling post-op. If for no other reason, you and your traveling companion are taken to the front of the security line. For us, the distance between terminals in Detroit, which didn't bother me on my initial round trip for tests or the trip to D.C., was prohibitive post-op.
The funny memory of the trip home was boarding the plane in D.C. for Detroit with the mayor of Detroit was on our flight. For his protection, there was additional security. As we prepared to board, individuals were selected from the line to be searched, which included being padded down by a same gendered security personnel. Yes, I was picked out and just cracked up. The hospital had provided a kidney shaped pillow to hold up against my stomach (which was an awesome comfort), so I appeared to be a middle-aged pregnant woman, I opened my coat for them, removed a pillow that shows a single kidney in its design and respectfully requested they not touch my abdomen. They couldn't have been kinder.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers - please keep us posted.