Body Parts, And Other Interesting Stuff.
I had a really interesting morning this morning - a couple of months ago, I volunteered to be a living kidney donor, when someone (that I didn't actually know at that point) at work sent out an email saying that they needed one. On the basis that I've got two and one is technically a spare, I put my name forward.
Since then, I've had a series of blood tests to check for matching (I'm not a direct match, but my kidney will get put forward as an 'altruistic donation' to someone somewhere in the country and that will free up a donation for the woman at work, so it's all good...), and this morning I had a chest x-ray and heart trace, and more bloods taken. I think they may be secretly feeding a community of vampires, on the sly.
Next? Well, I need to lose about two and a half stone - part of my reason for telling you fabulous people is that you now know this, so you can encourage/cajole/nag me to get this done! - whilst I wait for the next series of tests in the next couple of months; this will be a scan of my kidneys just to check that I'm not giving anyone a busted one, and a medical history check.
The major reason I'm telling you this is as follows: my lovely transplant co-ordinator asked if I would be willing to tell people about the scheme, and the fact that you can actually be a living donor if you give a kidney (I'm happy for any of my bits to go to a good cause, but I *would* prefer to be alive for a good while yet). You don't even need to know the person you're donating to. Then I told her I was a writer, and I'd be able to tell a whole chunk of people about it. So I have.
If this has piqued your curiosity even the tiniest bit, I'd strongly recommend you getting in touch with your local renal unit to look at the next steps - they're trained to give you all the support and choice you need, so you needn't worry about waking up in a bath of ice with a note pinned to the mirror (urban legend reference, for you few non-geek followers ).
I'll keep you posted, because apart from anything else, it's *really* fascinating stuff (they've unravelled my DNA!!! I'll probably get post-surgery morphine!!! What's not to like?).
Since then, I've had a series of blood tests to check for matching (I'm not a direct match, but my kidney will get put forward as an 'altruistic donation' to someone somewhere in the country and that will free up a donation for the woman at work, so it's all good...), and this morning I had a chest x-ray and heart trace, and more bloods taken. I think they may be secretly feeding a community of vampires, on the sly.
Next? Well, I need to lose about two and a half stone - part of my reason for telling you fabulous people is that you now know this, so you can encourage/cajole/nag me to get this done! - whilst I wait for the next series of tests in the next couple of months; this will be a scan of my kidneys just to check that I'm not giving anyone a busted one, and a medical history check.
The major reason I'm telling you this is as follows: my lovely transplant co-ordinator asked if I would be willing to tell people about the scheme, and the fact that you can actually be a living donor if you give a kidney (I'm happy for any of my bits to go to a good cause, but I *would* prefer to be alive for a good while yet). You don't even need to know the person you're donating to. Then I told her I was a writer, and I'd be able to tell a whole chunk of people about it. So I have.
If this has piqued your curiosity even the tiniest bit, I'd strongly recommend you getting in touch with your local renal unit to look at the next steps - they're trained to give you all the support and choice you need, so you needn't worry about waking up in a bath of ice with a note pinned to the mirror (urban legend reference, for you few non-geek followers ).
I'll keep you posted, because apart from anything else, it's *really* fascinating stuff (they've unravelled my DNA!!! I'll probably get post-surgery morphine!!! What's not to like?).
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Ash Wednesday
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Jul 16, 2013 07:48AM
Wow, you gave me a couple of lols here but this is some serious awesomeness, Tabitha. That kidney's gonna change someone's life...*slow clap*
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Tabitha: I don't know how much a stone is but I'm sure I have more stones than you do! I try to lay off the wine to lose weight, but wine seems to be an integral part of my nightly, personal reading time -- so I'm not having much success.But,sincerely, what a wonderful thing you're doing. We here in the U.S. can put that we are anatomical donors on our driver's licenses which I have done. But I probably should look into other kinds of direct donation. The only thing I don't think anyone wants is my liver.
Judy wrote: "Tabitha: I don't know how much a stone is but I'm sure I have more stones than you do! I try to lay off the wine to lose weight, but wine seems to be an integral part of my nightly, personal read..."LOL - I think my liver would make a good paperweight, or item for a freakshow...
A stone is 14lb - I've had some joint trouble for the last year or so, so I know the weight's crept on more than I'd like. However, I have lost more than this in the past, and this is *really* good incentive!
Donation, living or dead, is a great thing! :D xxx
