A conscious patient during a kidney transplant describes the experience of seeing their new organ as very exciting.

John Nicholas made history when he became the first patient at Northwestern Medicine to undergo a kidney transplant while being fully awake. The 28-year-old was able to see his new organ before it was even placed inside his body, and he described the experience as "pretty cool."

Thanks to a spinal epidural, similar to what is used during a cesarean section, and light sedation, Nicholas did not feel any pain during the surgery. He was also given a nerve block for added comfort. This new method allowed him to be discharged from the hospital in just 24 hours, which is a significant improvement from the standard recovery time.

Dr. Satish Nadig, the director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, expressed his admiration for the patient's bravery and the opportunity to show him his new kidney before the procedure. Despite the sedation, Nicholas was able to follow along with the doctors' progress and even ask questions during the two-hour surgery.

"I remember at one point, I asked if I should be feeling the spinal anesthesia, but by then they had already done a lot of work and I didn't feel a thing," Nicholas recalled. "It was truly amazing to have no sensation at all."

Nicholas was the ideal candidate for this groundbreaking procedure due to his young age, limited risk factors, and willingness to participate. Dr. Vinayak Rohan, another transplant surgeon, praised him for his willingness to be part of advancing the field of transplantation.

The success of Nicholas's surgery is a promising development in the world of health. Not only was it essentially an outpatient procedure, but it also allowed Nicholas to receive a new kidney from his childhood friend, Pat Wise. After Nicholas's mother was unable to donate due to her own health issues, Wise stepped up and proved to be a perfect match for her friend.

"I remember receiving a message from John saying his doctor was urging him to look for kidney donors," Wise shared. "Without hesitation, I filled out the form that night. We've always been 'ride or die' friends, and this was just another example of having each other's backs."

The successful transplant has strengthened their friendship and brought them even closer together. Nicholas is grateful to have Wise's kidney and describes the experience as life-changing. He hopes that his story will inspire others to consider becoming organ donors and make a positive impact on someone's life.

Nicholas's procedure came just a month after a 54-year-old grandmother received the first pig kidney transplant combined with a mechanical heart at NYU Langone Health. These advancements in the medical field are giving hope to many patients who are in need of life-saving transplants.

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