The Greatest Gift

The Greatest Gift

My kidneys are rubbish, they are lazy little cretins and they are on their way out. Medically speaking, I am suffering from kidney failure and nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of symptoms that are caused by the decline of the health of the kidney. The kidney is unable to filter waste through the excretion of urine and the body retains the fluid in the tissues and around the organs, this causes serious problems such as pneumonia and hypoxia.

My first episode or flare up of nephrotic syndrome was in Jan 2015 and since then the deterioration of my kidneys has been rapid and progressive. I have been told by my renal specialist that I need a full kidney and pancreas transplant. The function of the kidneys is measured by percentage and my kidney function is currently at about 35% and when it goes down to 25% I will need a donor.

I cannot tell you how many people have seriously considered donating a kidney to me. My family, my friends, people who are friends of family and friends, people who I meet in hospital, even people who I have never met! I will never stopped being surprised at how selfless people can be and how much love people have shown. I want to thank everyone for that. But unfortunately these kind and unbelievable offers are not an option for me. I need 2 kidneys and a pancreas and they must all come from the same body, a non-living donor.

I feel very concerned that when it comes to my full kidney failure I will be suffering a huge deal and that only at that point will I be put on the transplant list and then I will have to wait for a suitable donor. The list waiting times in the UK today are on average approx. 2 years. Since learning about my future kidney transplant I have starting researching transplants and educating myself, of course had I not learnt about this I wouldn’t have known how slim my chances are of finding a donor or how the donors for all transplants are so rare. Of course I wouldn’t know this, why would I? Why would anyone know this, unless you need a kidney or a cornea or a skin graft or a blood transfusion? I know I will need 2 juicy Kidneys and 1 powerful pancreas but who knows if you or a loved might need a blood transfusion or an organ one day, and I hope you never do but if you do you face an uncertain wait. The national tissue bank isn’t a warehouse full of limbs and organs ready for whoever needs them. If only. The donors that come in from people who have consciously given consent to their body parts being used, and they are in high demand and used as soon as they are collected.

I know it’s not the most pleasurable thought to be chopped up but once you have passed away, but your soul has flown and it isn’t looking back. You won’t need that body you walk around in and if you put it in the ground it’s going to waste. Your body can save or transform up to 9 lives. Now that’s what I call a lasting legacy. I think it’s harder for your loved ones to deal with but it’s your body and it’s your decision.

National Transplant Week is 7th-13th Sept so there couldn't be a better time to get involved.

Register to become a donor today give the best gift you could ever give. It’s actually a really simple process and will take you no more than a couple of minutes. It’s really important to discuss your decision with a loved one or family so they can make sure your wishes are granted.

To Register Click Here https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/