Hi! First post here. I'm 2 and a half weeks post-op. I donated at Rush University, Chicago on December 28, 2011. I spent New Years Eve in the hospital, but I really just slept for 4 days so I don't feel like I missed much!
I donated to my (step) sister who is two years older than me. I was the first one tested and fortunately we were a match! My sister is doing great, and I am doing well. I still have some pain and unfortunately they had to keep me in the hospital longer because they couldn't find a pain medication that worked for me. I got sick on the morphine and Norco and Tylenol doens't work for me, so I'm stuck with Ultram, which doesn't work really well either. It's OK, but Aleve, or Alevel-like medications work better. Unfortunately it's bad for the kidney so I can't take it.
I went back to work on Monday, January 9th but the walking was too much so I took 3 more days off and went back on Friday. I've been well taken care of by family and my boyfriend, so I feel very fortunate.
Regarding Rush, I must say that they are the absolute BEST! This was not my first trip to a hospital, but every single individual, all the way down to the guys who come in to empty the garbage have been so AMAZING! The nurses and pct's really give you the attention you need and are really so caring. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and may just stop by to see some of the nurses and pct's that were so kind throughout my stay. AND, although I didn't eat for the first three or four days, I started nibbling on the food and it was fantastic! Seriously!