A Scots mum gave her kidney to a stranger so she could save her husband with a new one too. Susan McDonald donated her organ so partner Alan would get a lifesaving transplant as part of The UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme.
The Paisley couple, both aged 60, previously discovered they were not a direct match for each other. Patients who enter the programme with their loved one are matched with another pair in the system so each recipient receives a kidney from the other’s friend or family member.
The couple had the surgery cancelled three devastating times due to complications, but three weeks ago finally got the go-ahead at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Susan said: “I didn’t think twice about donating my kidney so Alan could get better.
“I was so disappointed not to be a direct match for him, but when we found out about the organ sharing scheme it was a no brainer right away. The system is really fantastic, it meant three people got life saving operations which is really incredible.
“We were nervous before it because it had been cancelled several times which was very hard for us. When we were arranged for the fourth time we were anxious up to the last minute in case it got taken away again, but that actually took our mind off the surgery.
“After it I felt really tired and sore, but now I feel I have turned a corner and I am getting better everyday. The NHS teams were so great with us they do such a good job.”
Alan had at first refused to accept Susan donating her kidney as he feared for her own wellbeing. He began struggling with kidney failure around two years ago, after complications with his diabetes, leaving him in constant pain and fatigue.
His wife insisted on helping him and after Alan was reassured by doctors she would also make a full recovery, he finally agreed. Now both on the mend, they are planning to “treat themselves” with a holiday next year to celebrate.
Alan said: “At first I didn’t want Susan to have to donate her kidney, I was worried about what that would mean for her. I was assured by doctors that her kidney function would be virtually the same and that she would be alright.
“We also haven’t been able to do anything together since my health has not been good, so this opens up a new life for us. The first thing we are going to do when we are well enough is go on holiday, we can’t wait.
“We haven’t been abroad in about six years so it has been a long time coming. I don’t know where we will go yet but somewhere nice, to treat ourselves.”
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