When and how to tell others what I’m doing
At this point only a few people know what I’m doing. Obviously my wife Michele knows and is very supportive (though apprehensive and understandably worried as well). I told my boss yesterday since this will eventually require several weeks away from work. I’ve also shared my plans with Bryce, Kerri, and Amy whose story helped motivate me to do this. And, so all my readers know, Amy is Kerri’s donor and my new friend who is patiently and thoroughly answering my questions. At this point, I don’t plan on telling many other people until I am definitely scheduled to donate. However, I’m torn as to when to tell the rest of my immediate family. I know they’ll eventually be supportive, but I think I’ll get a lot of “are you crazy?” responses initially. Not that they should be surprised too much. I’ve always been the odd-ball who dances to his own music. My mom was not initially happy with my getting my ear pierced (17 years ago at the age of 28, no less), but said nary a word when I got the other one pierced last year. I’ve done dangerous things in the past, I’ve bungy jumped, skydived, and hiked the Grand Canyon (after having had to be helicoptered on a prior trip due to heat exhaustion) and they’ve dealt with it. And, my dad lost a kidney to a tumor 27 years ago, so I have a walking, talking precedent for living a normal life with only one kidney. All that being said, unless something else forces my hand I’ll just wait and tell them right before I tell a broader audience.
Filed under: Living Donor - @ January 10, 2013 3:38 pm