Ten Years with My New Kidney!

Today it has been ten years since my mum made the ultimate sacrifice and donated one of her kidneys to me, freeing me from nightly dialysis and allowing me to lead a full and (almost) normal life. It feels like yesterday on some days and a lifetime ago on others.

I am very delighted to be able to say that my kidney is behaving very well and is consistently working like a little trooper! The doctors did say that mum's kidney was like a 20 year olds and I do believe that's proving to be right!

I can still remember how Trev, Mum and I felt entering Derriford 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 brilliantly!!

Mum recovered well and was fighting fit again within three months. It took me longer to be fully recovered than anticipated. I naively thought I would be up and about 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!!

My Mum, who saved my life

This year I have several significant milestones, 10 years with my transplanted kidney, 15 year in my job at Frugi and 20 (yes I said 20!) years with Trev! I would like to think I'm not that old, but I think this just proves that I am!

It's been a tough year for everyone in 2020 with the COVID-19 outbreak. For transplantee's it has been particularly difficult as we have had to shield to protect ourselves due to the immunosuppressants which we have to take. There is however, light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccination now being rolled out. I'm looking forward to seeing all of my family and friends to celebrate this amazing milestone and celebrating with my mum in style!

In the last 10 years I have achieved so much with this wonderful kidney, most notably representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World Transplant Games on two occasions, bringing home 10 medals which included three golds!

The World Transplant Games - Argentina

I have made friends all over the world in the transplant community and they will be friends for life. I feel honoured to have met them and thankful to those who signed up to the organ donor register and as a result, saved those lives.

The purposed of me blogging and attending events such as the Transplant Games is simply to raise awareness of organ donation. There is now an opt out system in the UK, however, it is still vitally important that you share your wishes with your family so that they do not veto your decision.

I just want to finish again by saying Thank You Mum!

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 ...

Significant Milestones & the World Transplant Games!

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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