Hi MK,
Best of luck as you embark on the transplant journey. The best overall advice I can give you is to remember that you are having real surgery with real risks, real anesthesia, sharp instruments etc. so treat it that way even though you are healthy. Interview your surgeon and hospital the same as if you would be having elective surgery. Get a second opinion, keep copies of all your records, make sure all your questions are answered etc.
To try and answer some specifics.
1. The hospital in California told me that I will go there once for three days for the full battery of tests and MRI's and psychologicals etc. I will go again for the transplant itself, which is expected to involve one night in the hospital and ten days staying near the hospital for followup care and monitoring, before returning to Texas.
The 3 days of tests will most likely include your CT/MRA psych tests and meeting with all the doctors. You will of course only get to that point if all the other blood tests and urinalysis, BP readings etc are adequate for you to become a donor. One night stay in the hospital sounds very short to me. Even when you have a vaginal birth you get to stay two nights! Donors differ but most stay at least 2 nights. Unfortunately, there are no set protocols for living donation surgery and each hospital sets their own rules. You may want to bring this up with the staff. I had surgery on Monday and left the hospital Friday morning, which is at the longer than average length of stay. Wanted to make sure everything was working (bowels and bladder) the same way as when I came in. I think a minimum of two nights is standard. If there are any complications like bleeding or infection you won't even see that with a stay of 24 - 36 hours. Staying near the hospital for 10 days sounds like a good idea. Most donors from out of state stay about a week. My recipient actually came to my city and had the surgery and then went home after 3 weeks. So donors don't always have to be the one to travel. The recipient, if they are well enough, and insurance doesn't care who they pay can come to Texas.
2.My first question is, would it be okay for me to fly home after the ten days, or would it be better to take a train? I can ask at the hospital but it's Labor Day and due to family issues I won't be able to contact the Transplant Coordinator with questions for a week or so. And I'm curious NOW! LOL
Personally, I think you may be more comfortable on a flight. It is much shorter than the train. You recipient is allowed to reimburse your travel expenses. I'm sure they are thrilled to be receiving your kidney so I hope they could help you with the expense of travel. You do have to walk around to make sure you don't get blood clots, just as you would with any surgery. Sitting for long periods of time is not recommended. The train would obviously take longer. With air travel there may be more assistance from staff like a wheel chair or golf cart for transport in the terminal. Either way I would travel with someone. Remember you will be sore from surgery and also there is no lifting more than 10 lbs post surgery for at least 6 - 8 weeks.
3. My second question is, my husband and I have four big trips schedule in 2013: A trip to NYC in late March, to Vegas for our anniversary in May, to upstate NY State for a music festival in July, and we've been planning a trip to Big Sur for my birthday in September. Plus, I have family in Washington State who I visit once or twice a year.
I had my surgery in November and went on a cruise in January. No problems travelling and I felt well enough. It was a relaxation vacation though, no walking or anything like that. Most donors say they feel ready for vigorous walking or exercise about 2 - 3 months post surgery. You will also need to take into account that you may have complications like hernia, bowel issues or more severe complication like bleeding. This of course will lengthen the recovery. I would make sure to buy travel insurance just in case. One thing that donors do complain about post surgery, which is consistent with most abdominal surgeries, is the soreness and the fatigue. You will never know how you will react until the actual surgery so it is wise to be flexible with plans.
4. To be brutally honest, donating a kidney in 2013 is not convenient for me! But obviously, that pales in comparison with the "inconvenience" that my recipient deals with every sick day of HER life. I also don't know how quickly she is deteriorating, and whether she can afford to wait until after the Big Sur trip. She is not currently on dialysis but has received a fistula.
To be brutally honest, do the surgery when it is convenient for you and the best time for you to have the most successful outcome. This is elective surgery. It is very hard for donors to make the best decisions for themselves because they always have the recipient's situation in their mind. Speak honestly with the coordinator and weigh the pros and cons.
All the best,
Sherri
Topic: Travel after donation? (Read 8760 times)