Myself and one of my other sisters, Catherine, were the first to get in touch from the family to say we’d be tested. The transplant unit told us that to get through everyone as quickly as possible, they’d test the two of us first and then could start testing the others if it looked like we wouldn’t be good candidates.
Catherine and I started the tests and soon after we were told that we were both able to donate to Alison, but my kidney was a slightly better match for her.
The two of us went out to dinner to decide what to do. We talked really openly about it all – we agreed that I would donate my kidney because of the tests results, and also Catherine had young children at the time.
There were more tests to be done before the donation itself, to make sure I was healthy enough to donate and that there wouldn’t be any issues for my me living with one kidney in the future. I’m rubbish with needles, but I kept thinking of how worthwhile it would be for Alison. The payoff for it would be worth it. Honestly though, everything happened very quickly and before I knew it the surgery day had arrived.
I was definitely nervous on the day itself, thinking about all the potential outcomes, but I was also really excited to be able to do this for my big sister. There was always that worry at the back of the mind that something could go wrong or the kidney wouldn’t be accepted, but there was never any doubt in my mind that it was the right thing to do. The whole way through the process the team made sure I understood what I was doing, so I knew completely what to expect on the day. To be honest I was quite excited we got to that point and everything was going ahead!
After the operation, I was told that the kidney started working for Alison almost immediately and she was feeling great! Everything went about as well as it possibly could have. I was in a bit of pain and discomfort at first, but that was expected as my body was working out how to live with one kidney.
Catherine drove me home from the hospital when I was let out a few days later (we decided that because I had donated, she would help support me in my recovery). I just spent the next week or so in bed resting up and getting my energy back, while she looked after me. After those first couple of months though, I’ve got back to normal and hardly feel the difference in myself.
The difference we’ve seen in my sister since her transplant has been absolutely incredible. Knowing how weak she had been beforehand, not being able to make a cup of tea without feeling exhausted, to then seeing this really strong independent woman able to bring up her two young children. When I see those results first-hand, I’m so happy with my donation.
If I had even more kidneys, I’d be giving them all away too!
