Name: Alicia
Location: Florida
Donation date: February 2024
Age at donation: 31
Categories of exercise before donation: Marathon, Ultramarathon, Running
Describe your journey back to fitness after recovering.
As mentioned before, I have always been athletic but I was never consistent nor had I run long distances since high school. At 3 months of recovery, I began running. I decided my new goal would be to complete a marathon. One kidney did not stop me from this goal but it did make me more mindful of how I fuel my body. I spoke to multiple other Kidney Donor Athletes and staying hydrated and managing electrolytes seemed to be the common trend although this really isn’t unusual of any athlete. I am coming up on two years since my surgery and have completed 2 marathons!
Were there unexpected hurdles along the way?
Not related to my kidney donation! I learned my knees weren’t as young as they used to be but overall, I impressed myself by how well my body can overcome challenges. My doctor told me to stay away from NSAIDs but I already did not use them. This is likely the biggest unexpected hurdle I have found after speaking with other donors. You have to find other ways to manage any exercise related pains if this is your go to.
Tell us anything else you’d like included in your submission!
The KDA community is so special and I’m so lucky to be apart of it. People who willingly donate an organ tend to be the type of people you want to surround yourself with. This community is full of selfless, trustworthy, honest, and supportive individuals and there is nowhere else like it.
