I was late on the night I called about the kidney transplant. It was between COVID in November 2020.
I went to dialysis the next morning, but I usually went to bed early the night before, but my parents and I started talking very late. sleep”.
I turned off the lights on the bed and put my head on a pillow when the mobile phone began to sound. Maybe it was related to my sister, my NIE and NE.
I knew I had to call and I had to make a phone call, but I didn't always consume my life and I was able to make a phone call at any time.
So I sat down and answered, and the transplant coordinator of Beaumont introduced myself and said, “I think we have a transplant for you.” I was shocked.
They said, “You may want to tell your parents.” My mother was still preparing the bed. I couldn't speak, I just said, “It's Dublin.”
I was excited and shocked -When you are waiting for such a call, all have different emotions. I have been waiting for about two years.
They let me give me a phone call -I couldn't hold all the information. I ran downstairs, my dad fell asleep on the sofa.
I said, “Dublin, I have a phone call.” He jumped off the sofa, took action and prepared. We were in cork to Dublin within 30 minutes.
I was born mainly by the abolive central bone dissolved, which is a rare state of arthritis, which affects my hands and feet. I am the only known case in Ireland and the UK.
My parents knew I was different from five brothers. Because I shout when it changes like a baby.
I couldn't get my hands like most babies, and it was so painful that I used my elbows. When I was diagnosed, I was 5 years old. My parents were told that they could have renal failure, but that was not clear.
I was 14 years old when I went to dialysis -12 and a half hours every night. My parents and one of my sisters were trained in home dialysis. In other words, I was able to go to school as much as I could. Two years later, I received my first transplant in 2008.
For many years, they monitored my kidney function and confirmed that everything was going well. In 2018 they saw the decrease.
At an early stage, I didn't feel the effect, but over time, I had a feeling of fatigue and liquid retention. I lost a lot of weight. They decided that I needed to return to dialysis.
My aunt intends to give me a kidney. In the first place, it was a 10 -month test for her and a great act of kindness.
Other families did so, but my aunt was the best match. We got the date of the transplant, but in the week before I tested, my antibody was really high.
There are so many issues for those who are sick … I had to keep dialysis longer. It is difficult to wait for a transplant.
Your mobile phone will be a lifeline. There are unknowns when the phone, where you are, and what to do.
I tried to think about positive things, but dialysis brings very serious fatigue. I had to stop working. I couldn't physically commit to work.
I love to meet people, but I couldn't say “I meet you for coffee” without adding “if I feel okay”.
I received a phone call at 12.40 night of November. By 10:30 pm, I was transplanted 24 hours after. I felt the effect as soon as the anesthetic was worn.
I felt my energy returned and looked at the color on my face. Before the transplant, I had more yellow gray tones -you look ill and you look sick.
Now, I was able to see the pink flush return on my cheeks. The contracted spark is back. I am now knowing myself before I got kidney disease.
I work part -time at the new Munster Kidney Support Center. I love it -I can support other patients.
I plan and look forward to planning, traveling, traveling, swimming, fitness. Everything I love. I am not limited by using diets and machines.
The biggest thing is that for my family, they are there for the milestones that are happening in their lives. I have the ease and calmness associated with transplantation.
I think about the donors and their families every day without worrying about receiving dialysis every day.
Not only for me, but also for my family, there is no way to thank them completely.
- Sally Naguru, Transplant recipient Linda Omakahony and Annie Freeli are organizing lifeball gifts.https://ika.ie/support-centre/munster/)
- The ball commemorates the late Isabel Terry, an IKA activist and volunteer. It will be held on Friday, November 15 at the Ladison Blue Hotel in Little Island. Ticket € 80 or 75 euros per person for 10 people.
