More kidney stuff

So, Ben and I have decided that the donation is worth doing. Now, I just have to talk with my mom and dad and see what they have to say. My sister Jessica is all for me doing it, as long as I can get my aunt to quit smoking. Which I think is not a bad idea. I wonder if the transplant doctors require quitting as part of their regimen?? It would be nice to get them involved in getting her to quit too. The way I see it is... I've kept this kidney in good shape for over 28 years now, almost 29 years (if you count my time in utero). I don't think it would be unfair to ask her to continue taking good care of it.

Is that wrong to ask that? I mean, technically, I am donating, so does that mean I can conditionally donate? Philosophers, help me out here....

Kidney Donation

OK, so it's been a while, but life has been busy, and I don't always know what to say. But now I've got a topic that matters enough to me to put in writing. My aunt, who is also my godmother, has had kidney troubles on and off for the past ten years or so. Recently it was decided that she needs a kidney transplant. My mother was the first to test to be a donor, but she is unable to donate. So I have now offered to step in and test and donate if I match. Right now we're still in the beginning phases of all this, and my aunt doesn't want me to even start testing unless Ben is behind this, and I wholeheartedly agree. He's going to be the person who will have to help me out and be my support through all of this so needs to be a ready and willing participant.
I want to do this because my aunt is such an amazing person, and I'm close to her. I really don't want her to have to be on dialysis for the rest of her life. As helpful as dialysis is, it also is quite a drain on a person. You have to go three times a week, and it takes hours to go through the process every time. I can't imagine that it's at all comfortable to be on dialysis. So, my line of thinking is, I have two good kidneys (in theory, anyway... apparently, some people are only born with one!), I'm healthy, if I match, I should help her out because I know that she'd be the first in line if our places were switched.
This is such a big thing, and it will interfere with my life, but she's more important to me than my job. The school could easily live without me for a few weeks, and I'm certain that the principal would understand.
Going into surgery is scary, I've been there before. But last time it was because I had to. I am choosing this time. I know that I may not even be able to do this for one reason or another, but I am still trying to think every part of this through. I don't want to be surprised with something that I didn't consider. That is why I am going to be talking this over thoroughly with Ben, my parents and my doctor.
Well, it feels better to have this out there.