Just a short one.

Well how quickly things change. Twelve months ago i was thinking that the rest of my life would be spent on dialysis. After already having three Kidney Transplants by the age of 34 and now needing my fourth after nearly 17 years of freedom (been back on dialysis nearly 3 years ), and being told i have 100% Antibodies, the chances of getting another were not great, but not impossible.

My lovely wife Suzanne, whom i could not do without, asked to be tested, after many reservations, i agreed. Unfortunately she was not a match and in the course of being tested was told that the kidney she would donate only had a 31.2% function. We asked about being put into the ” Paired Pooled Donation Scheme ” and after a while, my surgeon agreed. He did however warn us that it may not happen as the other unit may not accept a kidney with such low function. He said the kidney would be more suited to an older patient as we lose kidney function naturally as we get older.

Not expecting to hear anything, we were surprised to lately be told that we will be entered into the “Pool” in January. This in no way guarantees a transplant will go ahead but the chance is there. You have to be in it to win it.

In the meantime, a cousin of mine, Kevin, messaged me and told me he wanted to be tested. Now this was a bolt in the blue, as, apart from Facebook, i have not seen Kev in over 30 years.
I gave him the details of who to contact and said that was all i could do and there would be no one there till Monday ( this was Saturday ). 5 minutes later i received a message telling me he had rang and left a message.

Knowing the Live Donor Co-Ordinator personally for many years, in her various roles, i told him to expect a call first thing Monday morning. Monday came and i got a message telling me she had been in touch and asked him for his Doctor’s information and she would contact him at a later date.

Moving on a couple of months and this Thursday, Kevin goes for his firsst blood test. It could all come to a grinding halt there and then but i am eternally grateful for the offer, even if he had a change of heart now.

FOREVER GRATEFUL