And I remember praying for forgiveness for not being like the other donors who I read about.
Sherri,
In my book, somebody who went ahead with a donation despite all the worries and issues you went through is a major league hero!!!
And about the pre-sedation. I may be the only person whom it made tense. I was actually very happy and relieved, since the night before, that I was finally getting to do this. My recipient and I rode together to the hospital, laughing and singing. And, when I was on my back on the stretcher being wheeled down for surgery, I was fairly boogying for joy that it was finally happening.
And then they told me they were giving me some preliminary sedation. I told them I didn't need or want any; I was perfectly happy and don't like taking meds I don't need. They gave it to me anyway, and in saying goodbye to my wife (and wondering when I'd finally get to meet my surgeon for the first time [!]), I forgot about it....But then, when they came a bit later to take me directly into the OR, I suddenly popped up and yelled, "Wait!!! Hold the gravy train! That sedation didn't do a thing; I don't feel it at all. I know I didn't need it, but I really hope your anaesthesia for the surgery itself works better.
That, I want!" I think I was afraid that budget cuts had led them to use anaesthetics that had expired and wouldn't work. In the end, everything was fine. But I would have been happier had they never bothered me with the pre-surgical sedation.
Be well, Snoopy