You became the light on the dark side of me.

Corey asked:

Did you also know that the actual transplant is harder on the donor than on the donee? My mom donated one of her kidneys to an older brother (whose had failed). He was up and about the next day, it took her a week to recover, because they needed to remove a couple of ribs, as well as push her stomach around. That was 9 years ago now, and he's still doing amazingly well.

Well, Corey, here's something that's truly amazing: Living donors are up and around these days much faster than ever before, with fewer complications and less pain.

Hurray for laparoscopic kidney removal surgery! Two to four teeny incisions in the abdomen for surgical tools and a camera, and POP! - out comes the donor kidney through another incision that's only three inches long.

Howard Greif - who donated a kidney to his father - explains the laparascopic removal process on his website, complete with pictures. It's absolutely fascinating, but I don't recommend looking at the pictures if you have a delicate stomach.

Kiss your Mom for me, Corey. Living donors ought to be designated as saints.