NEW KIDNEY HAS LASTED ME 33 YEARS

[okarol]

20 August 2007

NEW KIDNEY HAS LASTED ME 33 YEARS

EXCLUSIVE John, 56, celebrates gift of life

By Lynn Davidson
DAILY RECORD

A SCOTS dad has become one of the UK's longest surviving transplant recipients.

John Brady, 56, is still on the go after a successful kidney op in 1974.

It was second time lucky for him after a first transplant failed.

Typically, a donor kidney has an average lifespan of about 18 years but his has lasted for an amazing 33.

But now his kidney is finally deteriorating, and he needs another organ.

His youngest daughter, Vicki, 25, offered him one of her own kidneys but was turned down by doctors.

Instead, she is climbing Ben Nevis to raise awareness and cash for charity.

John, a TV engineer from Cardenden, Fife, said: "It was December 1974 when I got my transplant.

"But because almost 33 years have gone by, it has started to decline.

"At the moment, I am going to the hospital to get my heart checked to make sure I am fit enough to go back on the list again.

"It depends on how you keep. If I got a bad dose of the flu it could deteriorate quicker. But they can't really say when - it could be six months or a year that I need another one.

"I get a bit more tired if I am doing too much but otherwise I'm OK at the moment."

The married dad-of-three is proud his youngest daughter is joining Kidney Research UK on their climb.

He added: "I didn't know she was planning it."

John found out he had kidney disease, which spread from one organ to the other, when he was 19.

After the first failed transplant, he received a second kidney two years later. This time, it was a success.

He said: "Getting a transplant basically gives you a new lease of life.

"I was able to carry on working, have a family and everything else that goes with that. It is a virtually normal life." However, John admitted he still worries about another operation.

He said: "I am as nervous as anybody else. Hopefully, everything will go as planned when the time comes."

Office worker Vicki, also of Cardenden, will be among 100 people climbing Ben Nevis on October 6.

She said: "I wanted to try to raise money for people like my dad who are ill in the future. I did offer my own kidney but they would not consider it because of my age, among other reasons.

"But I have had a donor card since I was old enough to carry one."

In February, the Record revealed Sam Galbraith, the former MSP, minister and neurosurgeon, was the longest-surviving recipient of a lung transplant anywhere in the world.

Doctors had predicted two or three years' survival for him after his transplant back in 1990.

Vicki hopes to raise £400 on her climb. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/vickibrady.

Three million people worldwide are estimated to be affected by chronic kidney disease.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/tm_headline=new-kidney-has-lasted-me-33-years&method=full&objectid=19661055&siteid=66633-name_page.html

[goofynina]

I hope all of our kidney recipients are just as lucky to have their kidney's last just as long  (if not, longer)

[st789]

Same here.

[okarol]

John faces third kidney transplant

By Donna Simpson
 30 August 2007

A CARDENDEN man who has defied the odds to become one of the UK's longest surviving transplant recipients has been told he may need a kidney transplant within the next year.
Typically, a kidney transplant will last between 15 and 18 years, but technician John Brady (56) has had the same kidney he was given in 1974 - 33 years ago.
But now it is deteriorating, and he may need another transplant soon.
John told The Fife Free Press: "Life went back to normal once I had the second transplant.
''I had three children, worked away and my health was as good as anyone's, but it's now deteriorating and I'm getting more tired doing the things I normally do."
John's daughter Vicki (25) offered doctors her own kidney for the transplant, but she was rejected due to her age.
Now, however, Vicki is climbing Ben Nevis with Kidney Research UK in order to raise money to help her dad and others who have to go through dialysis and transplants.
John said: "I'm really proud of Vicki. I was really surprised when she told me she was doing it, but my family have always been very supportive."
Vicki, who lives in Burntisland, will be climbing the mountain on Saturday, October 6, in aid of Kidney Research UK, and is hoping to raise more than £400.
Vicki
said: "When my dad began to deteriorate again, I said I'd do the test to see if I was a match, but they wouldn't let me.
I then heard about this walk and decided to do something for other people who have had problems with their kidneys.
''I'm feeling positive about it, and the money will go towards research and treatment - making sure kidneys are not rejected, which is the main big issue."
John, who is now being monitored to see if his health is good enough for another transplant, added: "People who become donors make a life changing opportunity for someone else.
"I don't think people understand what it's like until you are in that circumstance. It really is a gift to give somebody."
Donations can be made for Vicki's walk at www.justgiving.com/vickibrady.

For the full story pick up a copy of the new-look, full colour Fife Free Press ... now on sale first thing every Thursday morning.

http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/fife-free-press-news/John-faces-third-kidney-transpalnt.3160602.jp

[Ken Shelmerdine]

I've noticed they're both called John. Gonna change my name!