Valerie is grateful to God and her donor as she enjoys a new life
WEXFORD woman Valerie Achille Onuh of Barntown who had a kidney transplant in October 2013 is supporting the Irish Kidney Association’s Organ Donor Awareness Week by publicly expressing her gratitude to her deceased donor and to God for rescuing her from kidney failure and giving her a new life.
Valerie, aged 67 discovered almost 15 years ago that her kidneys were deteriorating but managed to stave off dialysis for over a decade until July 2012 when a hospital check-up showed that her kidneys had completely collapsed and shrunk.
She was admitted to hospital immediately and commenced dialysis treatment the following morning. Valerie then began the gruelling routine of being transported by taxi firm Gray’s of Blackwater to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin three times a week for haemodialysis treatment. In July 2013 she received a false call for a transplant which unfortunately didn’t proceed. She was rushed to Beaumont Hospital but was advised by the transplant surgeon that the donor organ was not suitable. She wasn’t discouraged by this and in her own words described it as “a trial run’.
‘At least now I knew what might happen in the future if I got called again for a transplant,’ said Valerie.
She struggled with dialysis and felt very tired most of the time. She had one or two difficult moments while undergoing treatment but came through quite well. She was acutely aware and grateful that the treatment was keeping her alive.
Fortunately her wait for a transplant came just over a year and three months after starting dialysis when this time she underwent a successful transplant operation in Beaumont Hospital.‘I have been given the gift of life and I would urge everyone to support organ donation,’ said valerie.
‘I thank my donor for giving me this second chance as well as the Almighty God who got me through this illness as well as a cancer diagnosis which I am now fully recovered from’
She thanked Professor Watson and Dr. Holian and their teams in St. Vincent’s Hospital. ‘I will also be eternally grateful to the transplant surgeons and team at Beaumont Hospital for their superb care.’
Valerie also expressed her gratitude to Gray’s Taxis who were engaged by the HSE to provide transport to her dialysis treatment, especially the two drivers assigned to her.