Colin is a train manager based at Euston Rail Station. Here he shares his experience of being a non-directed living kidney donor. He lives for his dog Jake the Jack Russell Terrier and his husband Steve, in his words ”in that order!”, loves gardening and skiing, and donated a kidney to someone he didn’t know in 2019. Here, he shares his experience of becoming a non-directed living kidney donor
After discovering a story on BBC News site about someone looking for a donor I understood that living donation was a thing. I then came across Give A Kidney where my decision to donate was affirmed, the process was clearly and simply explained, and I was guided to what I needed to do next.
Before the operation
The screening process to ensure you’re physically and mentally fit enough is like a full body MOT and incredibly thorough. It’s a fascinating process. I had no qualms at all prior to the operation as everything had been thoroughly explained.
The operation
I was admitted to hospital the day before so we were all good to go first thing in the morning. I was really excited to get to theatre and delighted although somewhat delirious when I came around in the recovery suite.
Recovery in hospital was great, I didn’t feel any pain just a little discomfort. A few days later I was on my way home happily obeying instructions to lift nothing heavier than a dinner plate!
Since the operation
Nothing has changed, I can do everything I did before I’ve simply got some cute wee scars on my torso which I’m incredibly proud of. Unexpectedly I received an anonymised letter from the recipient a year later explaining how their life had changed for the better.
It’s amazing that such a relatively small inconvenience to me can make such a huge improvement to someone else’s life, and so quickly. If I could do it again I genuinely would, in a heartbeat.
