I first read about non-directed donation in a magazine article in 2010. I thought it was something I could do, and from that moment I couldn’t think of a good reason not to do it. I mulled the idea over for about a year before approaching my local transplant co-ordinator, and started the tests soon after.
As an NHS staff member, most of the testing was done in the hospital I worked in, which made the process easier, but not faster! I didn’t tell any of my colleagues at the start, but as I was a microbiologist, I knew that my samples would be arriving in the laboratory so I had to say what I was planning to do.
The work-up took about nine months, and my surgeon in Edinburgh was hoping that my kidney would start a chain in the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme (UKLKSS). However I was offered a new job that meant moving to England, so I rang the unit and said I had to donate as soon as possible, to allow myself time to recover before the move. They rang me back within hours and told me I was booked on for the following week.
The surgery went well, and I was in HDU for two days, followed by three days in the renal ward. I was off work for six weeks, but with hindsight I probably should have taken another couple of weeks off, as I didn’t feel 100% by the six-week mark.
It’s now been almost 13 years since I donated, and nothing has changed in terms of my health or my lifestyle. I still ride horses, and go dancing, and (reluctantly) go to the gym.
I am very proud of what I’ve done, so much so that a few years ago I decided to have my scars tattooed over with a floral design. There’s a Japanese art called Kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended using gold to highlight the repair. The philosophy is to embrace flaws and life’s fragility. It’s about celebrating imperfections. I like to think my tattoo highlights my donation, and it’s a reminder to myself that I once did a good thing.
Are there any downsides to donating? I was in pain after the operation and had some temporary nerve damage, which shouldn’t be made light of, but it was short lived and absolutely worth it. The only downside for me is that I can’t do it again, donating a kidney has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. I never heard from my recipient, which disappointed me at first, but on balance is okay. There could be many reasons why they couldn’t, or didn’t want, to get in touch.
Tracey is also a Buddy in the UK Living Kidney Donation Buddy Support Service. Visit our webpage on the service if you would like to speak to her, or someone else who has experience in living kidney donation.
