Andy King

contd....Jo got up to attend to her and emerged with Emma from her bedroom to discover me making us both a cup of tea. Unheard of at this time of the morning! Jo was used to knowing where I was, either where she left me or at the end of the tube connected to the oxygen machine. Now I was zinging everywhere.

My recovery continued with me surpassing milestones sooner than expected. I attended the post transplant gym and threw myself at the exercises; transplantees often get shin splints as calcium levels are depleted and exercise increases, the physio’s worry about this like mother hens. I didn’t get them.

My lung function steadily increased, my fitness level rose, my appetite returned with a vengeance. Prior to the op I weighed only 54 kg and I began to gain weight. I was off work for three months … My Progress was so good that after only 6 months I was able to take the family for a weeks skiing in New Zealand. Awesome fun it was too!

Today my lung function is 108% (population average is by definition 100%), I have put as much weight as my daughter now weighs (12.5kg), I am active and a new person. I’m down to a little under 40 pills a day and my scar is healing nicely—too nicely, how am I supposed to show it off if it has faded so? I am also very, very lucky.

Not all my friends in the pre-transplant gym made it. Someone lost their life to enable me to live, and their family suffered the loss of their loved one. In Australia the Donor’s family has to consent to the donation, and I am of course deeply, deeply indebted to my Donor’s decision to donate and to their family for their decision to consent. Before the transplant I was very coy about my condition; it was my business, no-one else’s. Publicising such weakness may have lead to different treatment and my pride would not allow that (If I have a boil on my backside I’ll sit down carefully!).

 Post op’ though things are different. Firstly it’s so darn interesting, I think, that I want to share the experience. Secondly, and more importantly, the difference that it made in my life can also be made in others if more people go on organ donor registers and their family know their wishes. It is personal choice, but I am of course biased as to what choice should be!

page 1