Thanks to sister for saving my life
A Wishaw woman has given her sister the gift of life by donating her kidney.
Shelley Townsley, who lives in Coltness, went for the operation to help big sister Pamela, who had been forced onto dialysis to keep her alive.
We caught up with both sisters at Pamela’s home in Cleland just days after the successful operation.
Pamela, 34, said: “I’ve had a lot of health problems in the past.
“I’m diabetic and was also fitted with a pacemaker.
“In 2013 I was in a coma due to bowel problems and because of that my kidneys had failed.
“They had dropped to just seven per cent function so I was put on dialysis. It was so draining mentally and physically.
“They told me three years ago that I would probably need a transplant. My mum and dad weren’t a match so that’s when Shelley stepped in.”
After two postponements, the kidney transplant took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.
And after several days of recuperation in hospital, both were allowed home.
Shelley, 32, said: “I found out I was a match in April last year so it was just trying to get a date to go in.
“The first time we were due to have the operation Pamela had kidney stones so it got called off. It was very frustrating.
“It got called off for a second time so it was third time lucky.
“After the op I just felt sick. The doctors told me I would feel like I had been hit by a bus and they were right!”
Mum-of-one Pamela added: “The day of the transplant was six years to the day that I was found by my dad after I had went into a coma.
“After the transplant I didn’t feel that great but everyone else said they could see a difference in me.
“We’re still on our medication and antisickness tablets and it’s going to be a long road but we’re getting there.
“We’ve always been very close but what Shelley did was unbelievable. She’s given me a second chance at life.”
As a thank you to Shelley, her friend Kayleigh Spence nominated her as this week’s Say it with Flowers winner.
Kayleigh presented Shelley with a beautiful bouquet thanks to our friends at Pixie’s Petals in Newmains as a thank you to her.
“I think I was the shoulder to cry on when the transplant operation kept getting cancelled,” said Kayleigh.
“I just think Shelley deserves all the recognition in the world for doing this for her sister.
“It just shows what kind of person she is. She’s the godmother to my kids and they adore her.
“Pamela had been unwell for a few years and was on dialysis.
“Shelley decided to go ahead with the transplant after it was discovered she was a match for Pamela.
“Shelley’s the godmother to my kids so of course I was worried but it’s an amazing thing she has done.
“She has literally given Pamela the gift of life.
“Shelley has never been one to big it up. She just wanted to get on with things and do this for her sister.”