It has been nearly two months since my surgery, and life has largely returned to normal.  I’m aware of just a couple physical consequences of my operation.

I should still not lift things too heavy (although the definition of “too heavy” gets heavier each week).  Also, I still like to take afternoon naps when I have the opportunity, but it’s now more a desire than a need.  I’ve come to enjoy them, but don’t often find the time.

The psychological vestiges of the donation are more complicated to sort out.  I do feel a bit of a let-down that the excitement of the adventure has passed.  On the other hand,  I think having done this has improved my self-esteem, and I’ll take all I can get.  If this has helped me be more forgiving and accepting of myself and others, I’ll take that too.

It’s been nearly four weeks since my last blog entry.  Why so long?

I’m aware of at least some of the reasons.

There’s no urgency.  There’s less to write about and plenty of time to write it, so it’s easy to put off.

Also, I’ve been busy catching up with work.  I’m thankful that my clients didn’t need me during the few weeks of recovery, and even more thankful that they do need me now.

Perhaps most of all I feel ambivalent about the future of my blog.  How and why should it continue?

Maybe I won’t add much more to it.

Maybe I’ll set a new goal or two for the blog, now that a couple old goals have been met.

I had hoped to get more experience writing.  I did.  It became easier to write than when I first started it.  In fact, my first blog entry went through eleven drafts over seven months!  Meanwhile, I was noting in a diary things I’d want to write about once I finally got the blog started.  And once I did, the writing sped up.  But now that the anticipation and immediate aftermath of the donation are over, it’s been more difficult again to resume this writing.

Another goal was that my story might encourage others to consider making such a donation, and a couple people have told me that they are now considering it.  Two may not seem like a lot, but consider this:  there are only a few hundred altruistic kidney donors each year in the entire country, an average of less than a dozen per state.

How can more who are called to do this recognize that call and take action?  Suggestions are welcome.  I really do wonder why more people aren’t doing this, especially after my donation, because now I know what a wonderful experience it is.  As many donors have said, I would love to give away another spare kidney – if only I had one.