Organ Donation Has Consequences Some Donors Aren't Prepared For

Organ Donation Has Consequences Some Donors Aren't Prepared For

by Gretchen Cuda-Kroen

Listen to the Story
Morning Edition

Nearly a year and a half ago, Jeff Moyer donated a kidney. It's something he says changed his life forever. "Transplant surgery is a miracle," marvels Moyer. "I mean, to think that my kidney saved someone else's life — that's staggeringly wonderful."

His reaction is surprising given all he's been through. Like most surgical patients, when Moyer awoke, he was in a lot of pain. He was reassured that the post-surgical pain was normal and he'd be back on his feet again in a couple of weeks. But weeks, then months went by. His scars faded, and the pain didn't.

Today, Moyer says he has daily pain that leaves him virtually doubled over. It has affected his relationships and his ability to work. And yet doctors tell him they can find nothing wrong.

It's a story familiar to Vicky Young, who donated her left kidney to a friend seven years ago, only to develop kidney disease herself.

"All of a sudden I'm plummeting down to stage III chronic kidney disease, and that scared the hell out of me," says Young.

Moyer and Young represent only a small fraction of donors, but donors like them say they were unprepared financially and emotionally for the prospect of lifelong health problems. And they are frustrated by a transplant system that is primarily focused on the organ recipient, but isn't prepared to care for donors.

Young's kidney function eventually improved, but like Moyer, she suffered from chronic pain, numbness in her left leg and groin complications she says no one ever told her could happen.....

Continue Reading..