Hi there!
So, here's my story. About ten years ago, maybe a couple more (or less) I read an article in a magazine (Reader's Digest I think) about some guy giving a kidney to a stranger he met on a plane or something and it just kinda stuck with me. I had donated blood numerous times and had always been a big believer in being an organ donor but had never thought about being a LIVING donor.
I knew right then that I would give my "extra" kidney away some day.
I was married at the time and my wife was aghast at the idea when I brought it up. She said it was too risky to do such a thing for a total stranger and what if one of my kids needed a kidney some day and what if I died and blah blah blah....
We eventually got a divorce and I got remarried and had a job that just wouldn't allow for time off for such an endeavor.
Time passed (I'm 43 years old now) and now just feels like the right time. I have an easy desk job so I don't do any heavy lifting or anything and I have a new and improved wife that is supportive of my decision.
I went on Facebook and found a woman that needed a kidney but she has a smoking habit that she is having trouble quitting and then she and I had a falling out over political/social opinions (I'm a flaming liberal and she is quite conservative) so she "unfriended" me. I even wrote to her and told her that I don't care about her political position, I just want to help her LIVE and my kidney is still hers if she wants it.
She didn't reply but she DID share my contact info with a nice guy in Ohio that is VERY serious and ready for a kidney. He and I have been chatting and it's looking very good.
So, I'm getting a packet sent to me soon and hope to give this "extra" kidney to HIM soon.
Now my questions. (and I'm sure this first one is very common and will be answered somewhere along the process but I'm gonna ask you fine people.)
I feel a little awkward asking ANYONE this but I think I'm safe asking here. I'm not rich by any means and do NOT wish or desire to make ANY sort of profit off of this thing, but I also can't afford to LOSE money. Let's say I'm out of work for three weeks. I'll lose about $2,000 in wages if that's the case. Are there programs or SOMETHING that will help me with the lost wages so I can pay my bills? I'm sure my employer will gladly write a letter showing exactly how much in wages I'll miss out on. I feel like a shmuck even asking about this but the fact remains, I simply can't afford to lose out on several weeks of pay. I really don't know what the financial situation of my recipient is but I don't think he's rollin' in the dough and can just cover my lost wages.
Another question. Since I have a desk job, would I be able to get back to work quickly? I once had a hernia surgery and I had a cool electronic "pain pump" that numbed the incision area and made it so I wasn't high on pain meds and I was back to work in 4 days. Do they do pain pumps for kidney donors?
Also, I would LOVE to have my wife join me when I fly out for the surgery (assuming I'm a decent match). Does my recipient have to pay for my/our flight or does insurance cover that?
My apologies if these are stupid questions. I figure if anyone would know the answers, this group would.
Thanks for your time.
Nort