What I’ve Learned as a Kidney Recipient
When I received my kidney transplant, I didn’t just gain a new organ. I stepped into a world full of possibilities, but with many assumptions, questions (and questions and questions), and myths. Some were funny (no, eating kidney beans doesn’t help). Some were frustrating (wait, how much medicine will I be taking?). And some calmed my peace of mind (I’ll have energy again?). Let’s clear a few of them up.
Once you get a kidney transplant, you’re cured, right?
No, a kidney transplant is a treatment, not a cure. I still take daily medications, monitor my labs, and stay alert for signs of rejection. It’s a new chapter, not the end of my story.
You have to live in a bubble afterward.
Precautions matter, but life is meant to be lived. I still avoid raw sushi and have to walk crowded places with a mask due to having a lowered immune system, but I can now better travel and still eat cheesecake. Balance is everything.
You’ll feel instantly better after transplant surgery.
Recovery takes time and patience. The first few weeks were tough. Pain, fatigue, and rough nights trying to fall asleep. But slowly, ever so slowly my energy is returning. Healing is a process, not a light switch.
You’ll forget you ever had kidney disease.
It will be a part of me, always. The initial stages and kidney dialysis is now in the rear view. Now, I still see the scars, carry the memories, and hold gratitude. My kidney transplant doesn’t erase the journey. It merely reframes it.
Only young people get kidney transplants.
Kidney transplant recipients span all ages. I’ve heard about recipients in their 70s and donors in their teens. The transplant community is beautifully diverse.
Anti-rejection medicine is unbearable.
Well, it’s manageable with support. Side effects still exist, but my care team helps me adjust. I’ve learned to listen to my body and speak up when something feels off. But I step up to my pill buffet (sans a sneeze guard) 2x day.
You’ll always know who your donor is.
Generally, this is not always the case, especially if it came from a deceased donor. Or a living donor that preferred to remain anonymous for their own private reasons. Every story is unique.
You’ll never worry again.
Worry doesn’t vanish. It evolves, but remains in the background. I still have anxious days. But I also have tools, faith, and a support system that helps me navigate the unknown.
You owe your donor your entire life.
II will honor them (both my direct donor and Jeff) by living fully, not by living in guilt. Gratitude fuels me, but I don’t carry shame. My donor gave me life. I give it meaning.
Talking about your kidney transplant is oversharing.
Oops, then this blog is oversharing. I think of it as: Sharing is healing. I’m speaking up because someone out there needs to know they can help others. Someone out there with kidney disease needs to know there is hope with receiving a kidney transplant.
Maybe it’s you. Maybe it’s someone you love.
Living with a kidney transplant has taught me that truth is lesser known than than these myths, but far more powerful. The reality isn’t just facts from pamphlets or doctors. These truths are part of my daily life, shaped by experience, gratitude, and growth. The more we talk about it, the more we replace fear with understanding. And that is how healing begins.
Read some FAQ Jeff and I often get asked: Kidney Transplant – FAQ