Shelley,
Congratulations! If your long wait to be cleared was like mine, what a mix of relief+satisfaction+elation -- relief from the tension, the waiting, the not knowing -- satisfaction that all my special efforts I had done (as you did) to get cleared to donate had worked -- and elation from knowing-feeling that what I had become increasingly committed to do and be was actually going to happen. My news came on a Friday -- the best TGIF-news I could ever, and have ever, received. [And at (then) 68, now 70, I have had a lot of Fridays to experience!]
Speaking of age, from my point of view you are still a "young-an."
And now for my usual post on LDO, except it is a special one for you (even though you are still young, I feel a special affinity for us 60+ year-old living donors -- plus you will be at Swedish like I was -- plus you made special efforts to be accepted as a donor).
1] After donating, maintain your health for the rest of your life.
A] Keep your weight close to normal -- doing so helps prevent you getting type 2 diabetes.
B] Keep on exercising -- at least 30 minutes of *moderate* exercise 5 days a week, minimum -- doing so helps prevent you getting type 2 diabetes.
C] Keep your blood pressure normal, including following low salt diet.
2] Have someone stay with you when you are in the hospital and for a few days afterwards. (The person will be a "gofer" -- an important help no matter how good the hospital is.)
Feel free to call me -- I believe my contact info is in my member info in LDO.
BTW, I will try to go to Seattle on the 8th or 9th to visit you in Swedish (and maybe see Dr. Chapman again when he sees you post op).
Bill