Mum donates kidney to end family feud
Published 1 Jul 2011 06:59
6 Comments
A DUNFERMLINE mother and son who didn't speak for years because of a family row are now closer than ever - after she gave him a kidney.
Lesley McCormack (51) and her son Graeme (31) were reunited when she discovered he was seriously ill and that she was a 100 per cent match as a donor.
But there was a little more family friction, as she didn't tell her husband she was going ahead with the transplant until after the op!
Lesley recalled, "Graeme and I hadn't spoken for about six or seven years and then I got a phonecall saying he was in Queen Margaret Hospital and needed a kidney transplant.
"It was a silly family feud over who he was marrying, they separated later, but he was headstrong and so was I and it just went on.
"I wish it hadn't happened but since that day when he was so ill we've been really close and it's nice to have that and feel like a complete family again."
The operation had been delayed and put off but finally went ahead on 11th May, Graeme finally got out of hospital on 22nd June, and both are now recovering well.
She said, "Graeme had been in end stage renal failure for the last six years and everyone knew I was going to be giving him a kidney but it kept getting put off.
"The last time it was cancelled I had to go back to work and felt embarrassed, I felt people would think I had made it all up.
"So I vowed the next time I got a date I wasn't telling anyone and I mean anyone.
"My husband, Ronnie, thought I was going to stay with my daughter, Claire, in Kelty and he didn't find out until it was all over with - you couldn't repeat what he said when she told him, he couldn't believe it."
Lesley, of Dover Park, added, "None of my friends or workmates knew, I had to tell my boss to get the time off and the staff tried to persuade me to tell my husband.
"They said he was the next of kin and asked what would happen if they had to get in touch with him but I just felt so positive and knew everything would be ok.
"I'm glad I did it that way so no-one was upset or worried."
After the operation, Graeme was laid up in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for six weeks but suddenly had a lot of exercise, running to and from the loo!
He explained, "When I was undergoing dialysis I was only allowed 1.5 litres of liquid a day, the equivalent of four cans of juice, but after they wanted me to take six litres a day.
"For the last six years I was maybe going to the toilet once a day and producing a very small amount.
"But after the op and when they took the catheter out after five days, I was going every eight minutes!
"I never slept for the first two weeks as I was constantly running back and forward. I now have to retrain my bladder."
Graeme, of Inchcolm Road, had to have 25 staples put in after the op - "you can imagine the size of the scar" - and takes 25-30 tablets a day but is looking forward to seeing his friends and spending time with his partner, Hayley.
He said, "I still maintained a 35-hour week when I was on dialysis and I felt physically fit but now I'm getting tired very easily and I'm still sore.
"But other than that I feel great, I've had no dialysis in six weeks and don't feel I need it.
"The main thing I've missed out on, which is really nothing extravagant, is a holiday abroad with my partner.
"And I'll have to find stuff to do as for three days for the last six-and-a-half years I've been going to the hospital for dialysis."
Lesley also revealed she was heartened to receive a letter from the British Transplant Society and said, "I don't need thanks from anyone, I wanted to make Graeme better as any parent would want to do, but it was so nice to get such a lovely letter.
"There are so many people waiting for a transplant, whether it's kidney or liver, and many die before their chance comes around.
"Hopefully I've given Graeme a wee boost that will last 15-20 years and he can go on and have the family he wants to have."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
john
Unregistered User
Jul 1, 11:18
Report comment -
jan the man
Unregistered User
Jul 1, 14:04
Report comment -
Matron
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 00:00
Report commentWhat a selfless thing to do.Good Luck to you both xx
Recommend?
Yes 7
No 0
-
midge
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 00:09
Report commentsorry graeme am i missing something here, where is the big THANKS MUM FOR A NEW LEASE OF LIFE perhaps the paper missed that part out, but i wish you both well to continue a long life and the past the past and be a happy family again
Recommend? Yes 18
No 0
-
Nestle
Unregistered User
Jul 4, 19:13
Report comment -
Oor Wullie
Unregistered User
Jul 10, 15:43
Report commentGraeme thanks his Mummy in today's Sunday Post :-)
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
