DAD CAN MAKE PLANS THANKS TO TRANSPLANT

ROBIN SIMPSON, 58, from Cardiff, was diagnosed with a hereditary kidney disease in 2001.

He had always avoided the subject of donation. But when he was told a transplant was the only way to keep him healthy, the issue could no longer be dodged.

“I was diagnosed in my 40s with polycystic kidney disease,” he said.

“It took 12 years for my kidneys to deteriorate to such an extent until I was on dialysis four times a day, and the only option left for me was a kidney transplant. I was in work in February 2016 and about to go out for lunch when I got the call to say a suitable match had been found and I had the transplant operation at seven o’clock that same evening.

“The recovery process wasn’t easy. I came down with an infection 10 days after the operation, and spent the next two weeks in isolation. On the last day of isolation, however, I woke up feeling better than I had in years.

“Six weeks after the operation, my kidney function was dropping and showing signs of rejection.

“I immediately began treatment through a steroid drip, which was successful, and I was able to continue the recovery process.

“My transplant continues to improve and I was able to begin a phased return to work in May, after 10 weeks off.

“After two years on dialysis and three years on the transplant list, my quality of life is now so much better.

“I can now lead a normal life, I no longer feel constantly tired and can make plans for days out and holidays without having to arrange everything around dialysis treatment.

“Before the transplant, making any plans also meant I was risking not being available for a kidney.

“My daughter lives in Greenwich so I wasn’t able to visit her for a while. I was in a constant state of limbo.

“I think this new system is definitely a good thing and will get more people talking and thinking about organ donation in Wales and then hopefully making their decisions known which can only be a good thing.”