While Sweet Greg and I were out for his birthday lunch last Saturday, I went to the restroom to wash my hands and saw a flyer posted- for a local man in need of a Kidney and it made me first sad, then curious and excited about what I could do. I came home and applied with Duke Medical Center to become a Living Donor. And then I researched—yes, in that order, of course.
It turns out that 30% of people on lists to receive Livers and Kidneys from deceased donors, die waiting. Also, it turns out that our Livers fully regenerate and parting with a portion of my liver therefore seems less scary to me, than letting go of an entire Kidney.
I love getting tattoos and claiming my body and skin in that way. Having and seeing a scar on myself, from saving a person’s life, a stranger even, would be amazing. Working from home, at a job which requires no lifting, makes me feel extra qualified for this. Plus staying home is one of my favorite things in the world. I would miss out on almost nothing, during my physical recovery.
Having no financial security does leave me fearful of potential complications arising and demanding money and time from work. I feel that I NEED assurance of coverage for anything related. From what I understand, this is not possible. So it seems that only a person with financial security can confidently take the risk to become a living donor. Boo.
In my liver donor fantasy, someone needing my liver would be financially and legally able to guarantee me covered, for any issues resulting from the procedure. If not for my two beautiful sons, I would surely roll the dice on this. I am not afraid of surgery, scars, (most) pain, or dying– but the idea of added or lasting financial burden seems terrifying. We scraped hard, for several years, when the boys were small and their father could not be counted on to consistently provide court ordered support and care costs. I think I still have PTSD from that.
I bet my liver is big and beautiful. We (My strong liver and I) still have about 9 years before it is rendered non-ideal for donation. I will continue researching.
