It's Just a Kidney Part 1

(A kidney doesn't see race, politics, or gender) Lindsay is a U.S. Veteran who sees an ad and impulsively decides it's a great idea to give her healthy kidney to a stranger. This episode's mind-blowing plot twist is finding out who her recipient is. Get over the hump every Wednesday with a new "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation" episode. Join the Diversity Duo for all the feels and then ask yourself, “Do I judge a book by its cover...?”  When you think "U.S. Veteran" what words come to mind? If you are a U.S. Veteran you may say "my brother or sister." If you are a military service member the words "next chapter" may be your thoughts. And ultimately, if you are a Community Neighbor (non-Veteran) a word, or phrase rather, "thank you for your service." Others would say PTSD, homelessness, Vietnam, war, and of course the ringer, suicide. Rarely would you hear the words woman, life after the uniform, or in this episode's case a kidney donor? Lindsay's story was so involved that we just couldn't stop learning about her fur babies, one being the beautiful big bottom Pearl, yes, I said the pig. Some of her adventures to come after kidney donation, literally summiting a mountain with her husband and some of her own volunteer and advocacy initiatives. In true "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation," Dr. Loren and I had so much to ask in so little time! Therefore, the diversity duo will bring you part 2. Facts about Kidney Donation: Living donation does not change life expectancy and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure.  https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors/what-expect-after-donation#:~:text=Living%20donation%20does%20not%20change,the%20risks%20involved%20in%20donation. After one kidney is removed for donation, the remaining kidney undergoes a process known as “Compensatory Hypertrophy” i.e., it increases in size and takes over the function of the other kidney as well. The donor leads a normal life after donation. https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-life-after-a-kidney-transplant/amp/ The more you know!