The inspiring story of living kidney transplant recipient Judy, as told by her husband David.
After many to’s and fro’s from the hospital and local dentist, my wife Judy was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. The prognosis was given that she had two weeks to live if no intervention was made, such as dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant. She was 19 years old.
Judy began dialysis treatment, but it wasn’t positive for her mentally or physically. We were told that a kidney donor from a family member would give the best chance of being a match for her, and Judy’s mother Hazel stepped forward to donate.
The kidney donation was successfully carried out in 1975. Unfortunately the kidney didn’t immediately start working which was a concern for us. In fact, Judy needed a drip for the next 21 days (the maximum amount of time one could be given at the time). I was sent to get her mum and dad. On my arrival early evening I was greeted by Hazel rushing to tell me it had begun working!
After a full three months in hospital from first admission to being allowed home, frequent trips to the clinic were the order of the day.
Judy and I married on 10th September 1977. Five years later, our son Robert was born. We had many amazing adventures as a family of three, travelling to 31 countries together. He is now an ICU (critical care) consultant at Warwick & Coventry University Hospital.
Judy always had something to live for after her kidney transplant, from Rob’s birth to his exam results, becoming a doctor, getting married, and her two grandchildren. Hopefully I fit in there somewhere as well!
There were many struggles in her life, including several battles with cancer. Her last battle was against liver cancer over five years which was due to a missed diagnosis.
She never complained. She just got on with life. She was far more interested in helping others than herself. She took part in several charity trips abroad, including trips to South Korea and Armenia.
I write this with grateful thanks to so many medical teams over the years who helped to improve Judy’s and our life together. To think that we could have only had a couple of years together when we met aged 17, but it became 47 extra wonderful years together because of her kidney transplant.
A very much missed daughter, wife, mother and grandmother.
David
