It was February 2022 when a news reached our family and when I made one of the biggest decisions of my life.
February 2022
My aunt (mama's sister) told us about her kidney disease and that she needed a transplant for her to be able to live longer and have a better health and life. It was a sad day for us, especially for my mama. My aunt has been a very special part of our family because she was always there whenever my mama needs support and help. It was also saddening to hear that her kids and husband were not allowed to donate due to blood type differences.
A question popped in my mind "what if I donate mine to my aunt?". And so my research began about what it's like to become a kidney donor. I learned a lot of cool stuff through my research, like how a person can survive with only one kidney and still live a normal life and do normal things like everybody else, how having only one kidney will not shorten your life span. After also talking to some strangers in the internet who are also kidney donors, I have made up my mind and decided to become my aunt's kidney donor.
The decision was based on me not wanting to lose her as she has been a big support system for my mama, and also wanting to let her live a better longer life that she deserves. I imagined that I would be devasted if she would be gone and I did'nt even do anything to try to help or save her. A part of me remembered a memory from college, the very heavy feeling of not being able to save someone, a feeling that I will never forget and a feeling that I don't want to feel again, it played a part in making my decision.
Time is of the essence when you are talking about matters of life and health, and so I stepped forward to become a donor as early as possible. We started with work ups and procedures right away on that same month. I quit smoking and drinking, changed to a healthier diet, exercised and went to the gym. After lots of tests, we are a match!
Fast forward to October 2022, we just had our transplant and my aunt is still in the hospital because her new kidneys are still under observation to make sure that it functions well and fine, I heard she's doing well so far and I hope she continues to be well. As for me, I am now recovering at home with a 6-inch incision on my torso.
8 months of work ups
Tons of laboratory tests
Quitting my vices
Switching to a healthier lifestyle
A month of recovery
A few weeks of hurting
It's all worth it if it means giving someone a better health and life.
