Battling dad faces dialysis for rest of life

[okarol]

Battling dad faces dialysis for rest of life

By KENNY ANGOVE

Published: 24 Jul 2009

BRAVE Paul Mickleburgh is lucky to be alive after battling an astonishing string of deadly health problems.

The dad of three has endured FOUR kidney transplants, TEN heart attacks, CANCER on his arm and PNEUMONIA.

He's just been taken off the waiting list for a FIFTH kidney transplant and now faces spending the rest of his life on dialysis.

But Paul is refusing to be downhearted and instead is looking forward to his 25th wedding anniversary and sons' birthdays.

The 50-year-old said: "It's not the best but there is nothing I can do about it.

Infection

"If I dwelled on it too much, I wouldn't be alive. You just learn to cope."

The former Territorial Army Engineer's ordeal began at 19 when he suffered complete renal failure.

He subsequently received four kidney transplants.

His first, in 1980, failed after six months, leaving him battling an infection and pneumonia.

Another organ was rejected by his body three years later, after working for two years.

A third transplant in 1988 lasted for three years.

And the final op, in 1993, worked for five years.

In 1996, he had a cancerous growth cut from his arm.

And last year, he faced the nightmare of suffering ten heart attacks in ten days.

But instead of complaining, Paul, from Aberdeen, is grateful to be alive.

He said: "I would have been dead a long time ago without the transplants.

"There is no way I would have coped on the dialysis machine for 30 years straight without a break.

"And the kids would certainly never have been born.

"It was only after the second transplant that we decided to start a family and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

"I am very grateful and I do appreciate it. I didn't think I'd get this long."

The remarkable fighter has overcome the disappointment of twice being told that a kidney was available for transplant, only to discover both organs were faulty.

And now that doctors have ruled out the possibility of a fifth op, he is geared up for a lifetime of dialysis.

Three times a week, Paul is hooked up to a machine for five hours to get his blood cleaned.

He suffers from breathlessness and often wakes up in the middle of the night in pain.

But despite his health problems, he and wife Joyce can't wait to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary next March.

They are also looking forward to watching youngest son Cameron turn 18 next week.

Eldest son Wayne will be celebrating his 21st next month.

Fighter

Paul - also dad to 20-year-old Kelsey - now wants an opt-out system for organ donation.

Under such a scheme, patients would have to declare that they DON'T want their organs to be used after they die.

He said: "We shouldn't force a person to do it, they should have a choice, but I believe people should have to opt out of donation."

Loyal wife Joyce, 47, who runs a pet grooming business, added: "It's our 25th wedding anniversary next year and he really thought he would be dead within ten years of our marriage.

"It's been hard and he's had to cope with a lot - but he's a fighter."

kennnyangove@the-sun.co.uk

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2552046/Battling-dad-faces-dialysis-for-rest-of-life.html