Click here to view entries in the order they were published.

Introduction

October 21, 2019

Hello! My name is Ryan, and I've decided to donate one of my kidneys. Since this is a pretty big thing…


Getting Up to Speed

October 22, 2019

Hello again! In my previous post, I mentioned it had been a few months since I initially applied to…


Lots and Lots of Waiting

October 24, 2019

Yesterday I had the glucose and urine tests done, the ones I mentioned in my previous post. They were…


The Blood Work Results are In...

October 28, 2019

I got a call today from the hospital about the results of my blood and urine tests. They said…


On My Way

November 5, 2019

Hello everyone. I’m writing this from my Amtrak train headed to my next round of testing. I mentioned I…


The Last Round of Tests Are Done

November 7, 2019

Wow, that was a long couple of days. I'm on my train back home after my two day marathon of tests and…


Another 24 hour Urine Collection

November 26, 2019

I got a follow-up call from the hospital the week before last, on Monday, November 11, but I wanted to…


Finally Approved!

December 6, 2019

I got the call a few hours ago from the hospital, I was finally approved to be a donor! The donor…


Meeting the Recipient

December 10, 2019

Hello all. First off I want to apologize, I’m writing this post at the end of a long travel day. I’m…


Surgery Date Set

December 14, 2019

Yesterday was another long travel day for me, so apologies for not posting sooner. On my flight…


Met the Recipient's Family

December 29, 2019

Tomorrow I’ll have lots of updates about my pre-op appointment, but I met the recipient’s family today…


Finished the Pre-Op Appointment

December 30, 2019

I got back from my pre-op appointment at the hospital just a few hours ago. All in all, it wasn’t that…


Surgery Postponed

January 1, 2020

Unfortunately, we had to postpone the surgery. The morning of my pre-op appointment I had a little…


Surgery Date Set (Part 2)

January 7, 2020

Today I finally heard back from the hospital. After coordinating with the children’s hospital that will…


The recipient needs your help

January 8, 2020

I wanted to share something with you all. The recipient’s family started a Children’s Organ Transplant…


The Countdown Begins

January 14, 2020

Last night, my wife Jill and I drove up to our hotel a few blocks from the hospital. We had to have a…


Post-Surgery Update (Finally)

January 20, 2020

Hey everyone, it's been a while since the surgery, but now I’m in a good place and feel well enough to…


My Time at the Transplant House So Far

January 22, 2020

I’ve been staying at the Penn Transplant House for the last few days. So far, it’s already been a great…


Transplant House Update 2

January 25, 2020

Hello everyone, I figured I’d update you on how things are going for me to far. Generally, things are…


Finished the First Follow-Up Appointment

January 27, 2020

I went to my first post-surgery follow-up appointment this morning. It was in the same beautiful…


No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

February 2, 2020

It's been a while since my last post, but it's been a crazy few days. On Tuesday, January 29, I was…


Finally Back Home

February 4, 2020

Yesterday, I had my post-appendicitis follow-up appointment. Because everything had been going well…


Guest Post: My Wife Jill

February 11, 2020

My name is Jill, and I am an organ donor’s caregiver/spouse. I am honored and excited to be Ryan’s…


Appendix Follow-Up and 2nd Kidney Follow-Up

February 20, 2020

Since we got home 2 and a half weeks ago, I've been feeling better and better each day. I can feel…


7 Week Update

March 4, 2020

It’s hard to believe it’s already been 7 weeks since the surgery. It feels like it was yesterday, but…


3 Weeks Back to Work

March 28, 2020

Hello everyone! It's been awhile since I last posted here. To be completely honest, my life has been…


6 Month Update

July 22, 2020

Hello everyone, it’s been a while. Several months, in fact. I have a few updates, so let’s dive right…


Meeting my Recipient

December 27, 2020

Hello everyone, and sorry it’s been a while. As I’m sure most of you are well aware, time gets weird…


Happy Kidneyversary!

January 22, 2021

One week ago today, January 15, was the 1 year anniversary of me donating my kidney to a total stranger…


Springtime Updates

April 17, 2021

Hello everyone, and Happy April! I hope you're all staying safe and healthy. I have a few updates I…


(Belated) 18 Month Kidneyversary

September 18, 2021

Hello everyone! I'm sorry it's been so long since the last update. Since my last update in April, not a…


Fall Update

December 14, 2021

Hello! I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, and is having a good start to the holiday season. I've…


2 Year Kidneyversary Update

March 25, 2022

Sorry, I'm about 2 months late writing this post: things got busy and it fell by the wayside. January…