The Night that Changed our Lives

I was in the kitchen making dinner and thinking about the quiet night that we all needed. Lou, my 23 year old son, burst into the room.

'Mum my phone is ringing what should I do?'

'Go answer it, Lou.'

He came back with his phone in his hand a mile high.'

'Mum, it's the hospital, they have a kidney for me.'

I cried happy tears.

Lou had been born with Chronic Renal failure. Mr King, who had treated him since babyhood, came to see us and gently told us he would need a transplant when he was 18. Lou started dialysis when he was 19. He received treatment for four years. I just cheered him on and picked him up. We found joy together but he needed a transplant. We found the transplant bag packed three years ago and dashed to the hospital. I said a wee prayer to the donor and their family, at a time of great grief, but I hoped they might have some comfort that Lou would be getting his life back. I wished I could be a donor, I think it’s something everyone should consider.

We arrived at the transplant ward. Lou is a well kent face due to illness, including sepsis. There were a few times I thought I would lose him but he is a fighter. The night before was very busy. He was prepped for theatre. Lou's donor was on life support and they needed to wait for his family. We were kept busy by visiting professionals. I kept talking to calm him.

'Mum, I'm scared. Is that okay?'

'Course it is, my darling.'

He fell asleep. I went to the patient room to cry. I would not let Lou see me cry. I watched over him all night.

The anesthesiologist came to see him and Lou, as always, requested music. He requested a Pet Shop Boys tune. I accompanied him to theatre. As promised, The Pet Shop Boys soothed him to sleep. I looked at him then left. I started to cry again then went upstairs to wait. Five hours later he came back; all had gone well. I could hardly see his face and body. He was covered in needles. These were even worse than the dialysis needles that look like a Frankenstein hand. He slept all night then gently woke up. He called his kidney Neil after his favourite Pet Shop Boy. Slowly, carefully he began to do more and in only two weeks he was home. A transplant is not a simple recovery. He has had 10 admissions in the last year but I can see him growing and learning and helping others. So many people have filled me with hope throughout this process. I carry that spark of hope around with me.

This operation has given Lucas a year free of dialysis. We use that time to explore what comes next for my beautiful boy. I hope that people will not die waiting for a kidney. I speak to other parents and we create a chain of hope. Thanks to all donors and their families. It amazes me that some people can be living donors. We only need one kidney. I wish you all hope. Remember when Pandora opened her box? When all evil entered the world? Hope was there; a beautiful gift to the world.