A West Lothian dad who’s had four liver transplants at just 29 years old has thanked the donors who have made it possible for him to see his children grow up.
Martin Dillett, from Broxburn, had his first transplant when he was just three years old, after being diagnosed with a rare liver disease.
The surgery was a success and Martin enjoyed a normal childhood and adolescence with twin brother Stuart. In 2012, he met wife Danielle, and they tied the knot in 2021, welcoming daughter Georgia later that year.
But in early 2023, after experiencing some issues with his health, he learned that the liver which had helped keep him alive for 25 years was beginning to fail. In May that year, he was placed on the transplant waiting list for the second time.
Martin’s liver failure led to increasingly severe illness while the couple were juggling caring for two-year-old Georgia and preparing for the arrival of a second baby, due in December.
In August, Martin’s liver went into full failure and he was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
As his kidneys started failing too, he was moved to intensive care and doctors said the only thing they could do was wait for a liver to become available.
After 11 days in hospital, a liver became available for Martin.
However the transplanted liver was not working and the only option was for Martin to go back on the waiting list.
The following day the family received the news that another liver was available, and 48 hours on from his previous transplant, Martin was once again taken into theatre.
This time, it was instantly apparent that the new liver wasn’t working.
Doctors told Danille her husband was severely unwell and may not survive the surgery.
The surgeons ended up removing Martin’s liver completely, and he became only the third patient in the liver unit’s 30-year history to be without a liver whilst waiting on another liver transplant. He was added to the transplant waiting list for the fourth time in his life.
Danielle said: “We were nearly out of hope. The doctors said if Martin didn’t get another liver in the next 12 to 24 hours he wouldn’t survive. We were told to expect the worst. We got told to bring in family to basically say our goodbyes. I really thought we were going to lose him. Every half hour counted.”
After 24 hours without a liver, the family were told that another potential liver was available and Martin received his third transplant in the space of five days.
Fortunately, the operation was a success, with the new liver functioning well.
Danielle said: “The first few days were tense and doctors were keeping a really close eye on everything, but every day Martin improved and we were finally on the road to recovery. I never thought he would still be here and it still feels like a complete miracle that things turned around.”
Martin’s illness had taken a severe toll on his body. He had lost 30kg and had to learn to eat, walk and talk again. He remained in hospital for another three months, but staff ensured he could be with Danielle for the birth of their baby in December – a girl named Amber.
Now continuing his recovery at home, he is building up strength and enjoying being a hands-on dad again. He still has physio appointments and regular medical check-ups, though they are becoming less frequent. He hopes to be able to return to his job as a welder when his fitness allows, but for now he is relishing the opportunity to spend time with family.
Martin is now backing a Scottish Government campaign to mark Organ and Tissue Donation Week (September 23 to 29) encouraging people to make a decision about organ donation and importantly, ‘Have the Chat’ with loved ones about their choice.
Under Scotland’s opt out system of organ and tissue donation, Organ and Tissue Donation Week serves as a reminder for people to make their choices known and not leave their loved ones in doubt.
Martin continued: “We are so sincerely thankful to all my donors and their families. It’s so unfortunate that two of my transplants didn’t take, but it doesn’t change what my donors did for me and there are no words to describe how much it means to us. They gave me a chance to be here for Georgia and Amber, to see them both grow up.”
To find out more and register your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.scot.
Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here