A woman who was going through the menopause when she donated one of her kidneys to her younger brother, has revealed he began to experience some of her symptoms for a few weeks after the transplant.
Denise Waldron from Salthill, Ireland, explained that she agreed to donate a kidney to her brother Raymond O Brien, a carpenter, who is father to Isabel, 10, twins Harry and Amy, eight, when he reached the end of his declining kidney function and was due to start dialysis.
The barrister said she received blessing from her daughters Hilary and Laura, before agreeing to undergo a living donor kidney transplant at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
‘For a few weeks after the operation he was getting hot flushes and kicking off the blankets as he was overheating at night. Ethna and I found this hilarious. We joked that he is now more in touch with his feminine side and has a better understanding of what women have to go through,’ Denise said.
The hot flushes were most likely a side-effect of medication to stop Ramond’s body rejecting the new organ.
Denise Waldron (pictured right) from Salthill, Ireland, donated one of her kidneys to her brother Raymond O Brien (pictured left)
Raymond who also lives near Salthill with his wife Ethna and their three children, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 20.
The diagnosis let to him having laser eye treatment and two eye operations related to diabetic complications.
He was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2002 and within fifteen years of treatment had reached end stage kidney failure.
Denise said: ‘I felt privileged to be able to help my younger brother Raymo as he was struggling with his health while trying to raise three young children with Ethna. My two daughters, Hilary and Laura, are grown up and I discussed the donation with them and got their seal of approval.
Raymond had been diagnosed with kidney disease in 2002 after suffering complications related to diabetes. Pictured: Raymond and his wife Ethna, with their children
Denise who was going through the menopause at the time of the transplant, said Raymond experienced her hot flushes. Pictured: Denise with her granddaughter Ayra
‘The transplant team at Beaumont were wonderful throughout and I never felt pressured to proceed. There was rigorous testing including counselling and the team had me well prepared. They facilitated the transplant taking place in August while I was off work because the courts were on summer recess.
‘The surgeons were amazing. I was wheeled down to theatre first and transplant surgeon Mr Gordon Smyth removed my kidney and Ms Dilly Little transplanted the kidney into Raymo.
‘The transplant was a success. The after care in Beaumont was excellent. The transplant unit is brand new and state of the art, with an amazing team of doctors and nurses.
‘I was well enough to be discharged from hospital after five days and Raymo after ten. I was back to work within six weeks and have never looked back. Raymo is looking and feeling much better and I have more energy now than ever, probably because I don’t take my good health for granted and try to lead a healthy lifestyle most of the time.
‘I swim in the sea all year round and have been doing so since I donated my kidney to Raymo in 2017.
While Denise and Raymond were undergoing surgery, their brother David O’Brien, a Consultant Neurosurgeon, was operating in the adjoining theatre.
The siblings are sharing their story in support of Ireland’s Organ Donor Awareness Week 2021.
This year’s Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign is built around the theme #Life is a Gift Pass it On and Share your Wishes.
Denise continued: ‘The Irish Kidney Association supported us along the way and the charity is a cause close to our hearts. This January for my birthday, I decided to do a small fundraiser on Facebook for the charity.
‘I was taken aback by the generosity of friends and family, as a total of €1,527 was raised. We are delighted to be able to share our story to help the IKA raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.’
Raymond revealed he had been expected to need dialysis within two years of being diagnosed with kidney disease,
Raymond said he managed to delay a need for dialysis by managing his condition, but he always knew ‘someday’ a transplant would be needed. Pictured: Denise and Raymond
Raymond said doctors refused to consider his wife for the transplant because she has three young children. Pictured left to right, siblings: Raymond, Paul, Denise and David
‘But actually, held off for 15 years before a transplant was needed. The way in which I managed my condition played a huge part in delaying its progression,’ he said.
‘However, in the last year or two before my transplant, my kidney function and health deteriorated. My energy levels went down and I needed to rest a lot.
‘It was now time to either get a kidney or start dialysis, which had been avoided thus far.’
Raymond said all of his siblings volunteered to donate their kidney, because medics wouldn’t consider his wife for the transplant.
He continued: ‘Ethna offered to donate a kidney straight away but was told that they wouldn’t even test her because of having three young children. I was fortunate to also have two brothers and a sister who were all willing to donate a kidney to me.
Raymond revealed he’s grateful for Denise and believes anyone who would agree to having surgery while healthy ‘must be special’. Pictured: Raymond and Ethna with their children
‘Denise when tested was a perfect match and a transplant was arranged for August 2017.
‘We are so grateful to my sister Denise, my hero. Our family of five cannot thank her enough. She is an amazing woman. The only way we can show how grateful we are is to look after the kidney she gifted to me.
‘It’s hard to explain or express the gratitude that I have to my big sister for giving me a new lease of life.
‘I’m incredibly grateful to all of my friends and family who have helped and supported us over the years, but especially my wife Ethna, who through thick and thin has always been there for me.