Name: Hayley
Location: Idaho
Donation date: June 2022
Age at donation: 33
Categories of exercise before donation: Hiking, martial arts, weight lifting, yoga
What was your activity level like before donation?
Prior to donating I had my purple belt in tae kwon do, I would walk up to 10 or 15 miles a week, I lifed weights and did yoga every week as well.
How would you describe your recovery post-donation?
I had some bloating and gas pain for a few days/weeks after. Three days after I donated I walked six miles. I continued to walk every day and at six weeks post op I added in weight lifting. Seven weeks post op I started doing yoga and at eight weeks post op I was back to doing full core and all workouts I was doing prior to me donating. Three months after donating I resumed martial arts.
Do you feel different now than when you did pre-surgery?
I feel more content and happy. I feel like I can do anything and that nothing can stop me. I feel more at peace with my life and I feel more connected to my faith.
Do you take precautions now that you didn’t before?
I drink liquid iv before martial arts and list NSADS as a drug allergy.
What advice would you give someone considering donating?
To have an incredible opportunity to save someone else’s life is a journey unlike any other. To know that you are healthy enough to share your spare and the reason why you were given two healthy kidneys, it’s a joy that is unspeakable and hard to put into words.
What were your fears before donating?
I didn’t have any. I didn’t know my recipient and I was more worried about her and how she would be doing after.
Looking back, how do you feel about those fears now?
I had faith and handed it all over to God. I am blessed to be a part of my recipients life now and she is living her best life. I am grateful I was given that opportunity to help her have that.
Tell us anything else you’d like included in your submission!
I just got my first degree black belt in tae kwon do last month!
