Her second chance at life

The Kaitaia Friendship Club hosts all sorts of speakers at its monthly meetings, but Doubtless Bay couple Liz and Max van der Laarse set a new benchmark.

Liz began the story of second chance at life, which, after many years of enjoying good health, she woke one day breathless and unable to walk as far as she was used to. Examinations by her doctor, a cardiologist at Whanga¯rei Hospital and in Auckland revealed that she had contracted a rare lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, which did not improve.

After constant monitoring in Auckland, she was invited to consider a lung transplant.

She was told that 80 per cent of transplant recipients survived the procedure, 60 per cent still living after five years. Without a transplant she would have two years.

She didn’t hesitate.

This was followed by rigorous tests, seeing a psychiatrist, a psychologist and social workers, and having a carer commit to staying with her for three months.

She was one of two from a group of five who “passed,” and she was put on a waiting list to wait for a call.

Max, who then became Liz’s carer, continued the story. The call to go to Greenlane Hospital to see if an organ donation would be suitable came after a five-month wait.

Max, who subsequently waited for 10 hours while Liz underwent surgery, said he had been very impressed with the ICU nurses, who looked after him as well as their patients.

He stayed at Hardy Towers, where he shared and received support from others in the same situation.

Liz remembered her elation when she emerged from a month-long induced coma — “I’ve made it!” — and thinking of the donor and their family.

Her focus now was on surviving, and supporting others who had received donated organs.

She told her audience that anyone could be a donor at any age, and that it was important to let their families know of their willingness to donate.

Zero waste

The second group of speakers were from Kaitaia’s Eco Centre (previously in the Lighthouse opposite Te Ahu, now in Bank St, around the corner from Subway), beginning with Marije van de Leeuw, who spoke of a group of locals working to create a zero waste lifestyle.

She detailed the regular workshops (crafts on Mondays), workshops on foraging and the Kaitaia Time Bank.

Friendship club members were introduced to others, including Jo Piccolo, who runs a community garden behind the Community House in Puckey Ave, where anyone can get involved, Waikarere Gregory, co-ordinator of the Plastic-Free Kaitaia campaign, and Paula Walker, who runs the time bank each gave a glimpse of what their aims were.

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Friendship club members will meet at TeAhu at 8.30 on Wednesday (April 17) for an excursion to the Hokianga, while the midwinter luncheon will be served at the Ramada, Taipa, on June 11.