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Nine Years of Life!

Yesterday marked the day of my diagnoses, nine years ago!  I discovered that night that I had a 6% kidney function with a blood pressure of 250/150 and would need dialysis and/or a transplant to live. So much has happened in those nine years. I’ve been on dialysis, been fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant with the kidney coming from my mum, participated in the British Transplant Games on five occasions and represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World Transplant Games twice!

I am very delighted to be able to say that my kidney is behaving very well and is consistently working  like a little trooper! My Transplant will be nine years old on the 11th January 2020! I’m looking forward to celebrating with mum on that day!

Although I was unable to attend the British Transplant Games last year, I was there this year catching up with my transplant family old and new.  The games were in Newport and very successful. I enter the games with Plymouth Team as my Transplant took place at Derriford Hospital, here's our small but mighty team:

Team Plymouth at the Opening Ceremony

 As usual I entered the swimming events and I’m delighted to say that I was able to medal in all four of my events as follows:

🥇 50m backstroke
🥈 50m breaststroke 
🥉 50m freestyle 
🥉 100m freestyle  

Collecting the Gold for 50m Backstroke

Some of the swimmers from Plymouth Team

After the swimming I participated for the first time in the Donor Run, a 5k which is in honour of all of the amazing organ donors and their families.  I’m pleased to report I ran the entire way mostly due to the amazing supporters and my running buddy Serena, I am NOT a runner 😱

Serena and I at the end of the 5k

Team Plymouth after the run!

Mum is still well and non stop, I don't think she'll ever slow down!  I am forever grateful for what she has done for me, if it wasn't for her selfless act, I would have been on dialysis much longer whilst I was waiting for a suitable donor.

As usual the message is, please sign up to the organ donor register and share your wishes with your family, as even when the law changes to presumed consent, your family is still asked for permission, and if you would like to give the ultimate gift, the gift of life, your family needs to know.

The 31st August will be forever ingrained in my memory as the day I was diagnosed with kidney failure and unfortunately three years ago the day my Dad passed away too.  Thinking of you Dad xx 
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