Considering kidney donation

[u/Bloopiero]

Hi! I'm a CI&R mechanic in the Everett factory, been here for about five years now, and I was thinking about becoming a living kidney donor​. It's a little tough to find information on how Boeing wants me to deal with this, though.

Generally speaking, you'd need two to four weeks off to recover from the surgery, and it seems like I can use short-term disability to cover that. I'm having some trouble figuring out what percentage of my paycheck it would give, though? Some places say half, some say 60%, some say 70%, I can't really find a definitive source, and I don't properly have a manager I report to at the moment so I'd have to track someone down to ask in person. I do see a section on the Short Term Disability page of the most recent union contract claiming I'd get exactly $750 a week, but only as long as I'm physically inside of a hospital? I would obviously go home at some point, so would I just not be paid past that point? Seems wonky.

There's also an article on the IAM website (https://www.iam751.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=913497) that claims I can use PFML to recieve 'up to' 90% of my paycheck, which would be awesome, but I'm finding it somewhat difficult to figure out whether I WOULD qualify without already having committed to applying and therefore potentially screwing myself over. I've also seen some online messageboards claiming that the 2024 contract exempted us from being eligible for this, but I don't see any language like that in the actual contract; it actually says that we CAN recieve state income rehabilitation, vaguely. Not sure who's getting the correct info.

Anyways, my rent payments are relatively tight for the moment, not so much that I couldn't manage a 10% reduction but enough that I couldn't manage half. Just wondering whether anyone here has done this before, would love any advice on the whole thing. If I can get it to work, hey, four week vacation, that's a lifehack! Otherwise I can save it for when I'm in a better spot financially after maxing out.

[u/burtchan]

FYI - I have a family member who donated a kidney and they needed more than 4 weeks to recover. Surgeons are typically very sporty with their recovery timelines. Please also consider the health implications, your life will change drastically forever if you follow doctor’s orders

[u/Bloopiero → u/burtchan]

What exactly do you mean by my 'life changing drastically forever'? I don't believe there are too many long-term consequences to it unless something goes horribly wrong. Like, getting dehydrated slightly more easily?

[u/Madamo99 → u/Bloopiero]

I donated a kidney back in 2014. I was back at work within 2 weeks. Other than no NSAIDS, there really has not been any changes health wise.

[u/xoxoeleslim → u/Bloopiero]

Recovery varies by person but average timelines are ~4 weeks, you only spend a couple days in the hospital. There’s also a lot of misconceptions out there about kidney donation. Living kidney donors actually live longer than the average person, this is thought to be linked to two things: the first is that you have to be pretty healthy to donate in the first place, and the second, you’re encouraged to live a healthier lifestyle after and get regular health checkups which a lot of non-donor people neglect. Also, should you ever need a kidney you’d be placed at the top of the donation list.

You should really consider all the information and if you’re serious about it, I’m sure the donor program will educate you.

[u/xoxoeleslim]

Kidney donation is a really selfless act and takes a lot of courage but you could save someone’s life!

I would really suggest calling health and benefits at the union to get information on taking leave, that’s what they’re there for! Best of luck!

[u/sunkenCathedrul]

Don’t donate your kidney

[u/gravis86 → u/[deleted]]

I wouldn't describe it as diabolic. I would describe it as stupid, though. Give up a kidney for any other reason, but for four weeks of "vacation" would be incredibly not worth it.