Dad gets kidney call up - just as wife suffers heart attack

Dad gets kidney call up - just as wife suffers heart attack

Dec 24 2010 by Emma Greenhalgh, Evening Gazette

A DAD waited five long years for a life-changing kidney transplant only to be called up for surgery on the same day his wife had a heart attack.

Devoted husband Ian Reynolds almost passed-up the chance of the vital organ to stay by his wife Karen’s side after she was unexpectedly rushed into hospital.

But knowing this could be her husband’s one chance, brave Karen insisted he go for the surgery.

While Karen stayed at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, Ian, not knowing exactly what was wrong with his wife, traveled 30 miles to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Almost 10 weeks on, the cruel twist of fate has had a happy ending after Ian’s transplant proved successful and Karen has also recovered from her ordeal.

Things could not get any better for the couple, who are both 44 and of Baker Close, Hartlepool, as they are also about to celebrate Christmas with their first grandchild Ava Paige Reynolds, who is four months old.

Ian said: “What a difference a day can make.”

Karen added: “I work in a bookies and nobody would put a bet on it.”

Ian said he will never forget the fateful day on Saturday, October 16.

He said: “It was a mix of emotions. I didn’t want to go but she said ‘you will have to go because it might be another five years before you get another chance’.

“It was surreal that it was happening. On the Friday I was at dialysis. It was like any other day. Saturday was the day from hell to start with and then it went from hell to ecstasy.”

Karen started to suffer chest pains on her way to work and was later taken into hospital.

Ian went with her and was unaware that his family were frantically trying to get hold of him after receiving a call from medics to say a kidney was available.

Eventually Ian’s son Jonathon, 18, managed to get through to him to give him the news.

Ian said: “I didn’t know what to do.”

But after Karen insisted Ian went to the Freeman hospital where he underwent blood tests to make sure he was definitely compatible.

The next morning he had the transplant and was kept in for 12 days.

Meanwhile, Karen was kept in for five days, and the pair texted each other from their hospital beds.

Ian first discovered he needed a transplant in 2003 after bad headaches took him to the doctor and he discovered his kidneys were only working 20%.

He had a kidney infection in the mid-80s that doctors thought may have been working away at the organs over the years forcing him to give up work as a production line team leader for Samsung in Billingham after initially being able to do his own dialysis at home.

But in recent years he has needed lengthy dialysis treatment three mornings a week at the University Hospital of North Tees.

He said: “I’ve got more energy now. It’s the best Christmas present ever.”

Before Ian, who is also father to Ava’s dad, Scott Reynolds, 22, was restricted by a low potassium diet and although he is still careful, there’s a host of foods he can now enjoy.

Karen, who suffered a mild heart attack, added: “It will be a lovely Christmas with a lovely new baby.”

Ian said he is “incredibly grateful” for the kidney he received and may take steps in the future to contact the family of the donor.

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