The kidney transplant that came with sisterly love

Gravely ill and on dialysis, Rosemount native, Willie Byrne, was on a lengthy waiting list for a life-saving transplant. However the organ he so badly needed was not to come from a stranger who had passed away, but his sister, who bravely decided to donate one of her own kidneys. Willie Byrne who lives in Moyvoughly, Moate, and his sister Teresa Malynn, Drumraney, underwent the organ transplant surgery only four months ago, but today they are both a picture of health. Willie is enjoying a new lease of life, free from his illness and the time-consuming, tiring process of dialysis, while Teresa made a speedy recovery from the serious operation. The transplant wasn't a sacrifice, but a vital gift to a loved one. "I knew for a few years that my kidneys were going bad, but I found it hard to accept it. I kept going longer than I should have," explained Willie. He eventually attended his own GP in Clara who arranged an appointment for him in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. The consultant wouldn't let Willie home because he was too ill with kidney disease. "They put me on dialysis straight away... I said, 'Could I not come back next week?' but Prof. Conlon said it was too dangerous and next week would be too late," said Willie. Having worked in construction since he was 15 years old, it was another shock for him to have to give up his job. The HSE arranged for a taxi to bring Willie up to Dublin three days a week, where he would spend four long hours hooked up to the dialysis machine, passing the time watching TV or chatting to the many people who were also waiting for a transplant. That was early October 2008, and Willie was expecting to be on the organ transplant list for around two and a half to three years. His family were not put under any pressure to donate a kidney, however after seeing her brother's health fail, younger sister Teresa decided to find out more about the procedure. "Well, I had to discuss it with my husband Brian first," she said. "I needed his support or I wouldn't do it. We have five children so I discussed it with the eldest ones as well. They were all in support of it." In September 2009, Teresa went up to Beaumont for a consultation with the doctors and patient care co-ordinators. "I was given the A to Z of what it entails, I met the surgeon. You have to know what you're letting yourself in for. I had my bloods done, scans and tests (including psychological tests to ensure she was mentally fit). You had to have a certain level of fitness and be 100% healthy and can't smoke. We were waiting on some of the results for weeks. It's a long road because you can pass the first test, but then fail the second," she explained. Luckily, she was a very close match. Finally, in April of this year, they both had their operations over two days. Willie said that he felt more relieved than nervous when it was time for the transplant, after 18 months on dialysis. "I was looking forward to it, the dialysis was so monotonous... There were people lying there for years, they haven't got a life, you're confined to the machine," he explained. "You were home a day and then up again to Dublin, it was exhausting." Teresa had her operation on the Monday, and Willie had the transplant the following morning. "Straight away I felt a difference," he said with a smile. "We'd two wonderful surgeons." Teresa donated her left kidney, which was transplanted into the lower side of Willie's stomach - however it's normal procedure to leave the defunct kidneys in place, so now Willie has three kidneys. Teresa's operation went very smoothly as did her recovery. "I made a huge recovery and I never looked back. I was told to do a few things for six weeks and I did," she said. "My husband and the kids all helped me out at home too." Willie was released eight days later and since then has settled into a routine of taking anti-rejection tablets, having check-ups and minding his health. The first crucial three months have passed and with time his check-ups will become less frequent. "I have to mind myself, and be careful lifting. Before the transplant there were things I couldn't touch, but I can eat anything now. I am allowed to drink but I don't bother. I have to exercise, it's important to keep yourself fit. Your energy comes back after a while," he said. "I feel an awful difference. I have more time to myself now as well. You try to stay positive, try to control the panic about your health and get on with life. At the start I was so worried... You have to put it behind you and get back to normal." Having spent so much time in Beaumont, Willie said that he's made friends with people who are still on the transplant waiting list. He met one other patient who received an organ from a live donor. But so many have to depend on someone else dying first, and that they have signed an organ donor card. "I'd be talking to people who got kidneys from the deceased. They never forget them, they told me they say a prayer for them every night," added Willie. Willie and Teresa were full of praise for the staff in the renal unit at Beaumont, who provided them with great support and care. "The co-ordinators are brilliant. If you have any question, you could ring them up at any time. I couldn't praise them enough," said Teresa. "Aileen, Phyllis and Dr Richard Power were fantastic." "The nurses and staff are absolutely brilliant in St Martin's ward," added Willie, who was also full of praise for Prof Peter Conlon, Consultant Nephrologyist. They were shocked by the level of support shown by neighbours, friends, acquaintances and even strangers with an avalanche of cards and text messages sent to them as well as prayers being said. And of course, in the two years since Willie first went on dialysis, the support, love and encouragement they received from their families provided great comfort and help. Their 79-year-old mother Tess (Teresa) Byrne who still lives in the family home in Rosemount, their three brothers and four sisters, and their own families; Willie's partner Doreen and his grown-up children, as well as Teresa's husband Brian and their five children. Teresa remains modest about her role in giving her brother a better quality of life. However, she never doubted her decision. "It's a very personal choice. If you look at a family member (who is ill)...," she paused. "Health is everything. I always felt very positive about it. In my experience I'd say go for it." And Willie's gratitude remains strongest for his sister and her selfless act. "I was very lucky to have a wonderful sister to give me this," he said. "I'm the luckiest man in the world." For information on kidney transplants visit: www.ika.ie or contact 01-620 5306