I have previously mentioned the surgery and posted some pretty graphic pictures. I've only given an account from my side and it was brief. I have been getting a lot of questions from people as the date nears about both sides of the surgery. So this post should help clear some of those questions up.
I have to have some more tests done as my previous tests have expired as they only last a year. One other thing that I have to do before the surgery is to meet with an independent assessor from the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). The assessor wants to make sure that I completely understand the implications of the process. They also have to make sure that I am not being either bribed or coerced into donating. Final approval for the transplantation must come from the Human Tissue Authority, and this can take a number of weeks.
In the fortnight or so before the surgery, both my brother and I will have some more blood tests done to ensure that nothing has changed and there will be a few pre-op investigations carried out as part of a pre-admission visit to the hospital.
My Operation
The operation to remove a kidney is a major operation that requires a general anaesthetic. The surgery usually takes about two to three hours.
The surgeon will remove my left kidney using “keyhole” or laparoscopic surgical techniques. It involves a number of small incisions (1–3 cm each), through which instruments are inserted to remove the kidney. A larger incision is then made to take the kidney out.
Once the kidney is removed it will be taken to my brother, who will be in another operating theatre.
My Brother's Operation
His surgery is a little more complex than mine and usually takes 3-4 hours to complete.
First, the surgeon will make an incision in my brother's lower abdomen (stomach), through which my kidney is put into place. My brother's diseased kidneys will be left where they are, unless they are causing a problem, such as an infection.
Then, blood vessels from his lower abdomen are attached to the blood vessels of my donated kidney. This is to provide the donated kidney with the blood supply that it needs to function properly.
Lastly, the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) of the donated kidney is connected to your bladder.
My donated kidney should take over the work previously done by my brothers two kidneys, pretty much immediately.
After the operation, we will be taken to a recovery room to wake up from the anaesthetic. We will both have several temporary tubes or lines inserted during our operations, which will include a tube inserted into the bladder (catheter) and possibly a drainage tube from the wound. These tubes are usually removed within a few days. Drugs for pain relief will be given immediately. Thank God!!
Whilst I am dosing up on the pain killers, my brother will begin treatment with medication designed to prevent his immune system from rejecting his new kidney.
Recovery
We will both be in hospital for about a week, perhaps more for my brother, but once home, I should be able to return to work and continue leading a normal life after about 6 weeks and my brother should be feeling much better within a few months and probably return to work to.
Doesn't sound so scary now, does it??! I am actually quite looking forward to the chance to have a good old rest!!
