Touched by organ donation

Dec 9 2009 Birkenhead News

I WAS so interested to read the article about the 10th anniversary of Gill Nowell's kidney transplant.

This is something very close to home for me at the moment as my partner's daughter has recently suffered kidney failure and started dialysis.

Seeing her health deteriorate has brought home to all of us how important it is to consider organ donation and, especially, to make sure that people in your family are aware that you wish your organs to be donated.

In the unfortunate event of an accident or death, the emotional decision to donate a family member's organs is made much easier if the subject has been discussed beforehand.

Although organs received in this way may not last to a 10th anniversary like those donated by a family member, they save the lives of people who may reach a critical stage before a match comes available.

I am sure many people will have seen the excellent recent advertisements regarding organ donation - most of us would be happy to receive an organ to save our lives, or the lives of loved ones, so we should be willing to donate and we should make sure that our wishes are known to the relevant people.

I hope Gill Nowell continues to enjoy good health and that her sister's kidney lasts many more years.

Sheila Harrison

Via e-mail

Inspired by Gill

I HAVE just read Carrie Catterall’s story regarding Gill Nowell’s successful and long lasting kidney transplant and felt truly inspired by it.

My story is similar in that my kidneys have been failing since I was a child.Š

I had to give up work a few years back due to how ill the condition was making me feel.Š

I started on Peritoneal Dialysis earlier this year but it didn’t work out well for me as I was constantly bloated and tired and it had a massive effect on my day to day life.Š

The only bonus was that I got to do it at home.Š Last month I got chest pains and thought I was getting an infection.Š One of the renal team came to check me out the next day and gave me the all clear with regards to my kidney condition.Š I went to see my GP, Dr Raymond at the Parkfield Medical Centre the next day who promptly sent me up to Arrowe Park (and in doing so saved me!) and half an hour after admission I was getting my lung drained as it was completely full of fluid.Š

It turned out that the fluid I had been using for dialysis had been filling up my lung and they drained it of three litres.Š

I count myself lucky to be alive and not to be another statistic of someone dying while waiting for a kidney transplant.

I have now switched over to hemodialysis and spend a large proportion of my time in the hospital.Š

One of the positive things to come out of my near death experience is that three people have now come forward to be tested as a live donor for me so fingers crossed I won’t be spending years on the transplant list waiting for a kidney to become available.

Getting a kidney from a live donor would make a massive difference to me as their kidneys last an average of 16 years as compared to getting a cadaver kidney off the transplant list which last an average of six years.Š

Imagine 16 years of freedom, of not having to be tied to the nearest hospital and spending days up there every week.Š

I think it’s fantastic that you are highlighting this cause as the reality is that thousands of people need transplants.

Thanks again for printing the article this week and raising awareness of the lack of organs available.Š

Tracey Wellman

Via e-mail

Well done boys

LAST Thursday I attended a musical concert at Wirral Grammar School for Boys.

It was an absolute joy!

The programme was varied and involved every age group with instrumentals and singing,

Well done boys, you are a credit to yourselves, your teachers and your parents.

Mrs T Dobson

Via e-mail

What lights?

I AM writing in regard to Christmas lights, or the lack of them, in the Hoylake area.

I’ve been wondering if Christmas had been cancelled this year.

Or has the council found some thing else to waste our hard earned taxes on?

Come on surely things can't be that bad, that we can’t even afford a few lights?

We need to take a leaf out of Neston’s books as their lights look great.

WAYNE BARLOW

Via e-mail

Think of carers

MOST of us are looking forward to taking time off work and relaxing this festive season, but for the hundreds of thousands of carers in the North West, Christmas will be hard, unrelenting work, just as it has been all year long.

Carers provide round the clock care for their loved ones, often without any kind of break, with very little support and hardly any recognition of their plight. Many carers become disabled themselves, as a result of the stress.

December 4th was Carers’ Rights Day, and I would like to ask your readers to spare a thought for the invisible army of carers in the region.

I work at a respite holiday centre for disabled people and carers called Vitalise Sandpipers in Southport, run by the charity Vitalise.

The guests and carers who take desperately-needed respite breaks here always take the time to tell me just how important a break is in their lives. Just one week a year can make the difference between coping and despair.

I would like to ask your readers to remember that carers need breaks just as much as the people they care for, and to support our vital work in the region. To make a donation or for more information about our breaks, call 01704 538 388 or visit www.vitalise.org.uk

DARREN HOLLORAN

Via e-mail

Final delivery

AFTER delivering milk on the Beechwood Estate for 38 years, I would like to thank all my customers for their support and for making my job enjoyable.

My decision to retire was hard to make but was made easier by medical advice - not life-threatening.

I'm just sorry I couldn't say good-bye and thanks to each and everyone in person, but I think that would have taken another 38 years.

I have some great memories to savour and have met some wonderful people and some true characters both young and old.

Ta-ra from John the Milk!!!

John Parr

Via e-mail