I'm giving my kidney non-directed. That means that I haven't designated it to a specific recipient...somebody I've never met will receive it.
There are a couple of reasons I'm going this way...but primarily it's because there's somebody who needs my kidney right now, and I want to give it to that person. There is also a likelihood that the staff will be able to set off a chain of transplants...often people find willing donors who they are not compatible with. The good news is that, through a paired-donation exchange, they can basically swap donors with somebody else in the same situation.
The bad news is that you go back to waiting. Instead of waiting for a donor, you're waiting for somebody to swap with....but you're still waiting. A free kidney that is up-for-grabs can set off a chain of transplants. Not a long chain...I think at most six, but two or three is more likely.
But this post isn't supposed to be about me. It's supposed to be for my recipient, whoever that is. If you're receiving a transplant...it could be for you. In fact, even if you're not receiving my kidney, but any old kidney, I would guess your donor has the same message for you.
Dear recipient,
Hello! I hope this finds you in high spirits and feeling well. I am glad that your waiting is over, and that you will get the treatment you need to return to a normal life. I've never been on dialysis, but it seems miserable and unhealthy, so I'm glad you won't need it anymore.
I have two things that I want to say. First, I want to set something straight. I am glad to give you this gift. You do not owe me anything; I am grateful for the opportunity to help you. The rest of my life, I will be able to look back on this event and think to myself, "I did something to help another person in a really big way." I am not doing this for your exclusive benefit...I'm doing it because I want to. So you don't owe me anything...you don't even owe me a thank-you card. If you want to buy me a beer afterward that will be fine, but I'll get the second round; just as much as you may wish to thank me, I'm grateful for the opportunity to make a difference for you.
Here's what I want to tell you most; you deserve a healthy body. You deserve working organs, and you deserve every minute of your precious life. You deserve freedom from dialysis, and you deserve to live as long as possible. You are worthy. And it is my honor to do my small part in helping you achieve health.
Once I'm recovered, I won't notice a difference in my life. For me, this is really not a big deal...really truly. There's just not much downside for me...I'll have two or three days of pain, a couple weeks of bedrest (which sounds awesome TBH) and then life will basically be back to normal. I expect to be taking it easy for another month or so, but that's fine.
But if you're coming off dialysis, I'm guessing your life will be much improved. And I'll be very glad to have helped with that.
So please feel worthy--you are.
The Dalai Lama thinks that the purpose of life is to be happy....to enjoy our lives. And I don't think we should question His Holiness...I'm certainly not about to. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your health. May your body serve you well. May your kidney serve you well. It may have started in my body, but I think it was always meant for you.
Your donor,
Jeremy
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