For the first two months after donating my kidney, I was not allowed to lift more than 10 lbs, which included our laundry basket. In addition, loading and unloading the washer and dryer was very painful, so my husband took over doing our laundry.

In our over 37 years of marriage, doing the laundry had been my household job. I never minded it, because I am very grateful that he’s the cook, a task I do not enjoy.

Three months post surgery, I was lift up to 30 lbs. Doing the laundry didn’t hurt, and I was glad to be doing it again. I find it sweet that my husband is still helping. I think he liked doing it. :)

In this painting, the washer agitator, in the center, represents my belly button, and the red stitched line represents my scar, which ends a little below the side of my belly button.