"I will never be able to thank my donor and donor family enough. I feel like a new person"

Christine is so excited to be taking part in her first Transplant Games that she has been making a regular 50-minute journey from her home in Bishop Auckland to South Shields to practice with her pétanque team! The idea of taking part in the Games as imaginable just a few years ago. Thank you for sharing your story, Christine

I was diagnosed with NAFLD, which progressed to NASH in 2016,” she explains. Prior to that, I had been an advanced Practice Radiographer with the Royal College of Radiographers and then became a manager at South Tees Hospital, but I had taken voluntary redundancy as I could no longer manage full time work, and I got a part-time job.  I just didn’t realise how poorly I was.   

In the middle of Covid, August 2020, I developed a small lesion on the liver. By November of that year I was finding even part time work too tiring. I found everything too tiring if I’m honest. Plus, the brain fog made life difficult especially at work.  In March 2021 I was put forward for transplant, underwent various tests and was listed for transplant at the beginning of June.  

It was around that time that I joined a support group run by the British Liver Trust. It was a life saver, I met people who understood how awful I felt, who were going through the same things I was. I made some friends who will be friends for life. To be able to talk to transplant recipients and see some light at the end of the black tunnel I was in was such a help to me. I could see how the transplant had changed their lives. I will always be grateful to the BLT for making that happen.

I received my liver transplant in October 2021 and my thanks are never ending. 

Now I have a new kind of normal, there are some differences following transplant- immunosuppression. I also developed diabetes due to the transplant and my kidneys suffered a little. I never got to go back to work.  

BUT it is a life a never thought I would have. To see my grandchildren grow and to be an active part in my family again is amazing. I will never be able to thank my donor and donor family enough.  My donor was an amazing man who cared for others and wanted to make a difference if he passed away. He discussed it with his family, and they followed his wishes.  

I feel like a new person which is why I want to make the most of the gift of life.  I want to raise awareness of how important donating an organ is to so many people, how vital it is to tell your family of your decision, so that the painful decision they have to make is that tiny bit easier, knowing their loved one’s desire. 

I want to try new things. I did pétanque and archery at the Games and got a silver medal for the latter – I was just two points off gold, but for me taking part is what counts. It’s something I never thought I would be able to do, ever.
 

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