Name: Sandra
Location: Mexico City
Donation date: March 2019
Age at donation: 41
Activity level prior to donation: High
Categories of exercise before donation: Running and weight lifting
How would you describe your recovery post-donation?
Amazing, my surgery was one Friday morning, and on Sunday at 11 am, I was discharged to go home.
The first night had some pain, the next day I was a lot much better, just felt abdominal distensión, and less pain. I started walking at the hospital, and on Sunday, I was back home.
I was one week at home, the next week I started working a little bit, but not every day and not many hours. I am an anesthesiologist, so I took only easy cases. Two weeks later, I was 80% recovered, and three weeks later, 100% recovered.
Describe your journey back to fitness after recovering.
For the first month, I ate well and slept well. After 2 weeks, I started walking just a little bit. One month after surgery, I took a trip to Europe with my family and walked many miles per day. When I returned from Europe, at approximately 7 weeks after surgery, I continued to do my usual exercise. I was a little more tired than usual at first, but after a couple of weeks, I felt great again. I just had to wait about 8-9 weeks after surgery to lift heavy weights.
Were there unexpected hurdles along the way?
No, as a doctor, I knew many things I would have to go through, as they performed many tests to ensure I was healthy.
The only test that was a little difficult for me was the radiology study to see your kidneys because they use IV contrast, and it feels strange. The rest was without problems.
The only test that was a little difficult for me was the radiology study to see your kidneys because they use IV contrast, and it feels strange. The rest was without problems.
Do you feel different now than when you did pre-surgery?
Physically, I feel the same! I feel very happy, and it was a very fulfilling experience; it changed me in a positive way. Giving life to my mother gave me so much joy!
Do you take precautions now that you didn’t before?
I just continue exercising and taking care of my nutrition as I always did. I do labs every year just to check everything is ok.
What advice would you give someone considering donating?
To do it, to go for it. It will be a great life experience, totally worth it.
My case was a little special because my mother already had a previous transplant. My father donated to my mom when I was 14 years old. The kidney worked for 28 wonderful years. Then I felt it was my turn to help my mom, and I didn’t doubt for a second.
My husband is also a transplant surgeon. What are the chances, right? So he did the surgery on my mom, a urologist removed my kidney, and my husband had my kidney in his hands to put it to my mom! It was great!
My case was a little special because my mother already had a previous transplant. My father donated to my mom when I was 14 years old. The kidney worked for 28 wonderful years. Then I felt it was my turn to help my mom, and I didn’t doubt for a second.
My husband is also a transplant surgeon. What are the chances, right? So he did the surgery on my mom, a urologist removed my kidney, and my husband had my kidney in his hands to put it to my mom! It was great!
What were your fears before donating?
I swear I didn’t have any fears. I trust my husband with all my heart, and I knew everything was going to be fine.
I explained to my two little kids (at that time, they were 9 and 10 years old) what was going to happen, and they understood everything.
I explained to my two little kids (at that time, they were 9 and 10 years old) what was going to happen, and they understood everything.
Looking back, how do you feel about those fears now?
I didn’t have fears. I am an anesthesiologist and also do a lot of kidney transplant cases and laparoscopic nephrectomies, so I knew everything would be alright. I trusted my surgical team.
Tell us anything else you’d like included in your submission!
Don’t be afraid. If you are a healthy enough person to donate, you will continue to be healthy because you are going to take even better care of yourself than before!
My father is also a donor ( he donated 35 years ago ); he is 76 years old, and he is in wonderful shape! He gave my mom 28 years of life, and now I have given 6 years. I hope that the kidney works for many more years.
My father is also a donor ( he donated 35 years ago ); he is 76 years old, and he is in wonderful shape! He gave my mom 28 years of life, and now I have given 6 years. I hope that the kidney works for many more years.
