I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: News Articles => Topic started by: okarol on March 03, 2010, 08:13:50 PM
-
Undercover cop’s greatest battle
04 Mar 10 @ 08:46am by Stacy Thomas
AFTER years of risking his life as an undercover cop, Robbie has been given a second chance from his brother-in-law.
The Stanhope Gardens father of twins will go into Westmead Hospital today for a life-saving operation.
“I have been on dialysis for two years now,” he said.
“One day my kidneys just collapsed.”
He spent the next few days fighting to stay alive.
“It was hard to get my head around because I’ve always been so fit,” he said.
Robbie was diagnosed with IgA disease compounded by prolonged high blood pressure due to work-related stress.
“I spent 15 years in undercover police work and it had an impact on my life,” he said.
“When my brother-in-law Mark offered his kidney I was speechless. None of my siblings were compatible.”
Robbie’s wife was compatible but doctors suggested that a male would be more suitable due to the difference in organ sizes between the sexes.
“Then along came my brother-in-law who is only related by marriage,” he said.
“It was a bit surreal until last week because I’ve had to sit for seven hours on the dialysis machine every two days.
“Having the children has really helped me along because I’ve had good and bad days.”
Robbie contacted the Rouse Hill Times to raise awareness about the need for more organ donors.
“There needs to be more about it because everyone knows somebody affected,” he said.
“Working in undercover is not my war to fight any more.
“I’ve got a wife and two beautiful children that I need to care for now.”
Names have been changed to protect their identities.
http://rouse-hill-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/undercover-cop-s-greatest-battle/