Hi,
I am due to have a transplant, with a kidney donated by my Dad, in April this year. I have not yet started dialysis but was just wondering if there is anyone else out there who is in, or has been in, a similar situation. I am still working but finding it very difficult to do a full weeks work. It would be really helpful to hear from anyone and how they are coping.
I am female and 32 years old.

Hi there. I was on dialysis for a year, and believe me, it was no picnic. My cousin gave me a kidney (on her birthday!) in October of 2002. While I had a lot of problems early on in my transplant, by week 3 after the transplant I was feeling better than I had in years. And I've been getting better and better as the years go by.

I know that all the side effects of the drugs sound scary, but in truth, they are not that difficult to take. And if you do end up having a problem with one drug, there are enough of them out there for you docs to switch you to something else.

If you have any specific questions about the transplant process, for you or your Dad, just ask. I'll be happy to tell you all about my experience.

Cora

Hi Cora,

Did you hold down a full time job before your transplant? If so was it easy to do and did you have much time off? I'm not that frightened about the operation but finding the waiting quite difficult, especially when feeling so tired all the time!

No, I wasn't working. I was too sick for that and hadn't worked in a while. I know that when my friend's husband gave her a kidney, he was back to work within 6 weeks. And it is harder for the donor to recover than the recipient.

Especially at the beginning you will have to be careful about germs. The first 3 months are especially bad. I would use a lot of Purell if I were you (hand sanitizer) and then you should be fine.

Best of luck to you both.

Cora