The 4-way swap

n 2019, I read a neighbor’s pleading with anyone in a local Facebook group to save his life. Having been on dialysis for five years, he as at the end of his rope and needed a kidney donation.

On the last morning of May, 2019, I took part in a 4-way kidney swap in San Francisco. I had signed up to save a man named David Mickelson, a guy who lived a few streets down, but was now saving a mom from Fresno!

Sadly, David passed in 2022, after battling an aggressive cancer. I’m glad he had at least 3 years free of dialysis, but it breaks my heart to know I’ll never make good on that dinner I owed him.

Elizabeth, a mother and grandmother, seems to be enjoying her extended years, carrying the kidney my mama gave me. I’m glad my former bean is treating her well. I also have much respect for her hero daughter April, who was also in the 4-way kidney swap.

What was it like?

I stayed pretty focused on success. I watched every video I could find on YouTube, and read lots of patient stories. The only time I really felt scared, was right before they wheeled me into the E.R. I really think by making my journey public, both on YouTube and Facebook, it helped me keep my wit. It’s easier to be brave when you know thousands of people are watching.

There was LOTS of testing. They poked and prodded me, then threw me at shrinks and social workers. The whole time, right until surgery, they kept telling me I could back out.

Recovery HURT for the first week. If ever you chop out a kidney for your neighbor, I strongly advise you to ask for an abdominal binder to take home. Also, CBD really does work. DO NOT try doing a pull-up off the edge of the garage roof, showing off to your teenage son and his friends – at least not in the first couple weeks.

Videos

The following videos document many of my adventures with the donation process. I’m glad I made these, since it is all now such a blur.