Siblings' incredible kidney donations03 January 2008 | 06:54
TWENTY years ago Gill Mills' life was saved when her sister donated a kidney - and now, incredibly, her brother has stepped in to do the same thing.
Brother Steven Patis, 38, became the second sibling to come to his sister's rescue when the first organ donated to the 45-year-old failed after two decades.
Yesterday, she spoke of her gratitude, saying: “I owe them both everything. You don't know how close you are until a time of crisis, I can't put it into words.”
Mrs Mills', who lives in West Mersea, near Colchester, first received a kidney from sister Janice Patis 20 years ago.
She said: “My children call Janice their second mum which is true because without her they wouldn't have a mum.
“Now Steven has done the same. I rang him up on January 1 and said, 'Thanks for making my New Year so special'.”
Ms Mills, mother of Jacob, 16, and Kate, 14, was diagnosed at just 21 with nephrotic syndrome which means too much protein was passing from her blood into her urine, causing her feet and face to swell up.
Doctors treated her with steroids and tried chemotherapy to shock her kidneys into working.
She then had dialysis treatment, but eventually medics decided that at the age of 25 the only option left was a transplant.
Mr Patis, from Colchester, wanted to donate his organ but the doctors said that at 18 he was too young to make that decision.
So instead, although just 26 and with a young baby, Ms Mills' sister stepped in and had the operation in his place.
The transplant was a success and her new functioning kidney meant a new lease of life for the newly married young woman, and also meant she could live her dream of starting a family.
Ms Mills said: “Before the operation I was very lethargic and would get breathless walking upstairs. Suddenly I had all this energy and I felt great.”
For nearly 20 years, the transplanted kidney worked well and Ms Mills could lead a normal life. But two years ago, the doctors noticed a problem.
Tests revealed the level of poisons in her blood were six times the amount of a healthy person. Doctors said the only option was another transplant.
She said: “It was a massive blow. I thought, 'Oh no, not again'.”
Mr Patis started having tests to see if he was a compatible match with his sister, and got the all-clear in the summer.
The operation took place on November 27 and now both siblings are fit and well.
Ms Mills is now urging members of the public to carry a donor card. She said: “It can make such a difference.”
Following their recent dramas, the family are looking forward to a healthy 2008 but if her new kidney should fail in the future, Ms Mills still has another brother - Peter Patis - to fall back on.
She joked: “He's my spare.”
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