I recently came across the site Rock 1 Kidney, which shares stories of how donors are living with one kidney. I submitted a short story to the site, and thought I'd do my one year update in the same manner.
First, the brief update: I'm feeling great! Went in for labs the other day, but haven't gotten them back yet. I feel 100% (and have for a long time), and the only "issue" I have is cosmetic - the 'big' scar on my lower abdomen. My family went to Teddy's the other night for a celebratory dinner, which was fun (and delicious). I'll post the photos when I get them.
So, how have I been rocking one kidney in the last year?
Three months after surger, I ran a Spartan Sprint race. It was fun, and really challenging, and I was glad to have my teammates there to push me (sometimes literally!) through the tough spots.
First, the brief update: I'm feeling great! Went in for labs the other day, but haven't gotten them back yet. I feel 100% (and have for a long time), and the only "issue" I have is cosmetic - the 'big' scar on my lower abdomen. My family went to Teddy's the other night for a celebratory dinner, which was fun (and delicious). I'll post the photos when I get them.
So, how have I been rocking one kidney in the last year?
Three months after surger, I ran a Spartan Sprint race. It was fun, and really challenging, and I was glad to have my teammates there to push me (sometimes literally!) through the tough spots.
I've been riding bikes, watching gymnastics, cheering at t-ball games, going swimming, and just trying to keep up with my crazy kids, who literally climb the walls at home!
We've been camping a few times, and every once in awhile we even get a date night squeezed in!
I've also been working hard to push, pull, and lift heavy weights (with some help from my kiddos). Setting lots of new PRs, and improving my technique. And lots of sprawls. I'm much stronger than I was before donation. (And I was worried it'd take up to a year to recover!)
I've been trying new things as well. I joined a novice crew 'team' this summer, so I spend every Saturday morning on the lake learning to row. I just signed up for my first CrossFit competition and have been training for that.
This spring we participated in a National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk with Teddy and his friends and family (it was clearly a nap-inducing walk).
Things I have NOT been doing with one kidney: taking NSAIDS, playing rugby, or kickboxing (none of which I did before!). Besides that, I'm living life like I still had two kidneys. The last year has gone by so quickly. I had such a great experience, and I encourage everyone to at least consider living donation, and at the very least register and tell your family that you want your organs donated after your death.
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