How do you tell people something you've kept hidden?

[OllieMartin]

Another option is to take all your friends out for a meal ordering steak and kidney pies for everyone, when the pies come just pipe up "can I have some more kidney" and see how many offers you get (please take this the way its meant to be taken i'm not making light of you position but from experience I find humour a great healer)

Ha, don't worry I love being teased about it.
My sister knitted me a kidney which has "Keith Kidney Love You" sewn into the front.
For Christmas she knitted another one that says "Kelvin Kidney Loves Keith" and the two sit together on my dresser!

The irony is, I really don't like kidney. Perhaps that's what caused the problems!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Wow, you have a star for a big brother. Good luck with the op. How do you tell your friends? No idea other than just say guys I'm going into hospital for an op.

[Brengirl]

Ollie, Ollie, Ollie. I don't know you but I love you!! What a wonderful gift your brother is offering you. What an incredible bond you will now share forever. I love him too!! xxxx

[Marthaclematis]

Very best wishes to you both, and what a wonderful brother he is.

I would just write one notification saying you'll be away for a few days in hospital and tell them why. Then copy and paste it as a personal message to those you want to know. Don't put it on your status like an acquaintence of mine (a friend of a friend).... she announced that she was having a hysterectomy to EVERYONE. One way of making a statement I suppose!!

[piskieinboots]

Top Dollar!!

[Seahorse]

Really pleased that things are looking good (if temporarily scary!) for you healthwise Ollie.

I do wonder if quite a few people you haven't officially told might have guessed/wondered anyway? I have to say I had a reasonable idea, just from a few little clues on here (quite possibly because I have a close chum in a similar situation and some things just rang bells though). Anyway, I suppose my point is that you might well be able to just come out with it and folk are more likely to say 'ah... we weren't sure' than 'WHAT?'

Very best of luck to you and your super bro for the 23rd and beyond. I reckon you'll have a lot of Grapes willing to don a nurses uniform and give you a thorough pampering

[jogette]

I found the easiest way to let everyone know was to tell a good friend who was told she could spread the word - and she did! It saved a lot of time and awkward conversations.

I wish you and your star of a brother well and hope the hospital food is up to scratch!!
I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday

[Incy]

Ollie, you're brother is a total star! Good luck to you both on Tuesday I will be thinking of you as I'm sure a lot of grapes will.
Perhaps you could make a panda comment in the lines of 'Pandas don't donate kidneys to their siblings unlike my brother' it would be in keeping with your usual status updates
Whatever you decide, all the best and I hope it all goes really really well!

[T8Ter]

Best of luck to both of you, you'll soon be whizzing around the lottie again like a whirling dervish...
As for telling others just say it - thanks to the courage and kindness of your elder brother your life is about to change for the better.

[enrich100]

I reckon you'll have a lot of Grapes willing to don a nurses uniform and give you a thorough pampering

To be honest I don't think me wearing a nurses outfit will improve Ollie's recovery somehow but I can get the brillo pads ready for the nurses doing the bed bath, I have some drain cleaner and a plunger too but I don't know where we would stick that

[kirsty b]

Best of British for the 23rd Ollie. Brilliant news

Speedy recovery to you both xxx

[binley100]

Ollie , this is a fantastic gift from your brother, I wish you both all the best and will be thinking of you on tuesday. Big big hugs .

[dogsbody]

Good luck for the op and well done for keeping quiet, it is all too easy to make a fuss takes much more strength to soldier on regardless. When your friends find out (however they find out) they should respect you for your silence, I would.

[jackie j]

Good wishes for both of you and the rest of your family, hope it all goes well and you will soon be back to annoy us lol. Just email the people you want to tell. Massive hugs.

[Nicos]

And a hug hug to your parents- they must be really concerned
xx