What feelings might I have if I am a recipient?
With living donation, it’s not easy to think about the idea that your transplant could depend on the kindness of others. For some people, living donation is straightforward, and a donor volunteers as soon as your kidney disease is diagnosed. Other people like to keep their health information private, and no one in their life even knows they’re facing kidney failure.
It’s normal to have lots of different feelings about living donation, none right or wrong:
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Hopeful that someone will be able to help you.
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Confused about who can be a potential donor.
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Thankful that medical science has made living donation possible.
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Disappointed that no one has come forward or offered.
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Hesitant to ask someone in case they say no.
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Concerned about the effect of surgery on the donor and their life, or that something could happen to them.
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Anxious about feeling like you owe the donor.
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Grateful that someone may be willing to help you.
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Fearful that your body could reject the kidney.
Whatever you’re feeling, the transplant program is here to support you on your journey. We can help you as you go through living donation.
