Father and son tell of transplant trauma

Father and son tell of transplant trauma

By Kate Yates
Worcester News

6:01am Saturday 14th July 2007

A FATHER and son have told of the trauma of having a genetic kidney problem which means both have had transplants.

Alan Hull and his son Tim inherited polycystic kidneys, where cysts can lead to renal failure.

Tim, aged 38, was born with one kidney and was the first to have a transplant when his 40-year-old brother Richard stepped forward as a donor.
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Alan, aged 73, had a transplant four weeks ago when a registered donor died.

Tim's twin Andrew and 43-year-old sister Sue also have the condition and may face having a transplant if their health deteriorates.

Speaking during National Transplant Week, Tim said he had not expected his health to deteriorate so quickly because his father, who was diagnosed about 20 years ago, was still very active.

"Suddenly it came as a big shock when one day I turned up to a hospital appointment and they said your kidney is failing," said the childcare manager, of Lansdowne Road, Barbourne, Worcester.

He started having dialysis and was able to have a transplant thanks to Richard - the only sibling who did not inherit the condition, which is passed down the male line.

"It's a frightening experience and the thought of a kidney transplant was too scary to contemplate," Tim said.

"There was no way I wanted him to go through that, because of the risks."

A doctor persuaded him to have the operation and in September 2005, Richard's kidney was transplanted into the front of Tim's abdomen - his polycystic organ remains in place.

"I've noticed that I've enjoyed a much better quality of life because I've had more energy," said Tim, who at 6ft 10ins held the title of the tallest twins in the British Isles with Andrew (6ft 9ins) until recently.

Richard, of Droitwich, recovered quickly, although Tim took longer and has decided not to have children for fear they could inherit the condition.

When father Alan's health worsened he started having dialysis and after waiting two and a half years on the list, a match was found.

Again, a healthy kidney was inserted into the front of his abdomen and his own remain in place.

"It was a relief more than anything else that I'd got a chance of a better standard of living," said the father, of Lower Wick, Worcester.

Although both must take anti-rejection drugs, the future looks bright.

BLOB: Ann-Marie McCarthy, renal recipient transplant co-ordinator at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where Alan and Tim had their operations, said there about 800 adults and children on the kidney transplant list in the West Midlands.

"There is a shortage of donors for all types of transplants," she said.

"If people register they need to follow that up by making their wishes known to their family and discuss it openly."

For more information visit UK Transplant's website www.uktransplant.org.uk or call 0845 60 60 400.

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