A Year With The Gift Of Life . . . .

A year ago today I received the most amazing gift from my mum, a kidney which has given me freedom from the nightly dialysis which was keeping me alive, along with a normal active lifestyle.

I can still remember how Trev, Mum and I felt entering the hospital early in the morning. But twelve hours later, one of mum's kidney's had been successfully removed and was transplanted into me and working like a good one!!

Mum recovered well and was fighting fit again within three months. She is as busy as ever now and currently building her own home, which is keeping her on her toes!!

It took me longer to be fully recovered than anticipated. I naively thought I would be up and fighting fit in no time! However, taking immunosuppressant’s along with a mountain of other drugs takes it toll on your body. However, at six months it felt like a switch had been flicked and I felt great!!

From there things have just got better and better! I am still attending the hospital on a monthly basis and at my last appointment my consultant told me that results at the twelve month mark give a good indication of how things are going to go. Mine have been stable now for six months and they were the best they have ever been in December (48%) so things are looking good.

I still think about rejection. It would be devastating to lose the gift that mum gave me, however, I am aiming to keep it for a minimum of 20 years and on top of that, I am hoping and praying that research will advance so that I can keep this kidney forever.

Tonight mum is coming over to have tea with Trev and I. We are opening a bottle of Krug Champagne which I have had for years and haven't had a good enough reason to open it, what better reason than to thank your wonderful mum??

Saturday night I am having a party to celebrate the anniversary and to thank everyone for their help and support. Without friends, near and far, this experience would have been a lot more difficult.

That's the end of my story for the time being, I'm too busy enjoying life and living it to the full to spend time writing here!

Take care everyone xx

Comments

Time Flys When You're Having Fun!!

Well here I am again letting you know that another year has passed since I had my transplant FOUR years ago! The difference this transplant has made to my life is enormous. Whilst on dialysis, although I carried on with my life, the fatigue meant I spent the majority of my free time in bed or with my feet up wrapped in loads of blankets with the heating on full as I could never warm up. Now life is unbelievable! In my last blog in August I was telling you the story about my success at the British Transplant Games. Since then I have had the honor of being asked to represent Team GB in the World Transplant Games in Argentina which will take place in August this year!! I entered the British Transplant Games initially for two reasons, firstly to raise awareness of organ donation and that is still extremely important to me, so if you haven't done so already please sign up here but don't forget to discuss your wishes with your loved ones. Secondly to get fit and heal...

Goodbye Dad

It is with great sadness that I am writing this blog. My Dad, Terry Carroll, passed away on the 31st August following a cardiac arrest on Helston Bowling Green on the 24th August. We take great comfort in the fact that he was doing what he loved. Dad was taken to hospital by air ambulance and had his heart restarted, however, his brain was without oxygen for too long and we were told by the doctors that he was very unlikely to survive. After three days with no response from dad, the doctor introduced us to the donor nurse. As you know, all of my family are advocates for organ donation, but we never thought for a minute that we would be on the other side of that conversation. Dad had been on the donor register for many years, long before I was unwell, and had made his wishes very clear, therefore we said yes. The fact that dad wished to donate his organs meant that there was a delay before the doctors took dad off his ventilator, 12 hours or so. We ...

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SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES! Another year has passed but this year with several significant milestones! In August I reached the ripe old age of 40! I have no idea how I got so old so very quick! Where has the time gone! In December I celebrated my 10th year working with/for Frugi they started out as one of my clients when I was self employed and now I'm their full time Finance Director. A job I absolutely love! (Most days!!) Earlier this month Trev and I celebrated 15 years together! We have such a laugh all of the time, no day is ever dull! Finally today is the fifth anniversary of my kidney transplant, an important day in my calendar. Everyday I live without the need for dialysis is such a gift. I am fit, healthy and live everyday to the full. I am so very privileged and wouldn't be in this position without my mum, my donor. Thank you mum. Mum and I at the...

Me and my journey through kidney disease . . . .

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