Limavady woman marks special kidney transplant milestone
The Limavady woman is now encouraging people to consider signing up to become organ donors in a bid to help save the lives of others
A County Derry woman is set to celebrate a remarkable 40 years since she had a life-saving kidney transplant.
Wilma Deighan was just 16 years-old when she underwent the major operation which she says has ‘changed my life’.
Now almost four decades on, the Limavady woman says she is grateful to have received such a special gift.
Wilma said the first signs of kidney disease became apparent when she was a teenager, back in 1985.
“I was helping mum with the washing one night and when I was going to bed, mum looked at me and said ‘your foot's swollen’. I went to see the doctor but he hadn't a clue what it was,” recalled the 56 year-old.
“I have a cousin, Ian Deighan, who worked up in the lab at Altnagelvin Hospital, and he asked if I could give him a specimen of urine to check it the next day. After this, Ian phoned the doctor and asked if I could go for a blood test. The next day I was up in Altnagelvin for nine days and then on the tenth day I had to go to City Hospital in Belfast for more tests.”
It was only after a biopsy that doctors discovered the damage to Wilma’s kidneys.
“My sister and mum went up to the hospital and that’s when the doctors said that my kidneys were done and that I’d have to get dialysis.”
On January 6, 1986, Wilma had a fistula put into her arm and several weeks later she began dialysis.
Six months after beginning dialysis, Wilma couldn’t believe it when she received the phone call she thought she’d never get.
“I got a phone call in the early hours of the 13th of July, saying could Wilma come up for the transplant and mum said ‘yes’. They took a blood test first and then the doctor came to me a while later and asked if I wanted to hear the good news or the better news? I said the better news and they said ‘the kidney's your match’.”
Wilma’s operation lasted just under three hours and doctors were pleased with the outcome - after just three weeks she was able to return home.
“I remember phoning home to mammy after I came out of recovery and she got such a shock. She couldn’t believe I had been through the operation,” said Wilma, who has never found out the identity of her donor.
“I would love to know who he or she is,” she said.
“When I found out I had to get a kidney transplant, I was shocked and to be honest I thought I would never get one but then I turned to God. God was always with me and I believe he helped me through it all.”
Wilma attends the renal unit in Altnagelvin Hospital for six monthly check-ups and has nothing but praise for the nurses there.
“They are super, the work they do there is amazing and I am so grateful to them for everything,” she continued.
During her visits to the unit, Wilma continually offers hope to others currently awaiting a transplant.
“One day I was up in the renal unit and I went over to this woman as she was just getting off the dialysis and I asked how she was. She turned around and said to me, ‘you know, I'll never get a kidney transplant’. I said, ‘hold on a wee minute. Don't think that way. You will get a kidney transplant’. And it did happen, she did get her kidney transplant and I was so proud of myself for trying to help somebody to stay positive.
“Another woman who got a kidney transplant said it felt good to know that I have my kidney 40 years as they reckon a transplanted kidney only lasts up to 15 years but she said knowing that I have mine this long really made her feel brilliant.”
Wilma’s sister, Sandra has nothing but admiration for her.
“Wilma had bowel cancer and she had other health problems over the years so she’s had a rough time but she never complains once. She is inspiring,” she said.
Wilma added: “If it wasn't for my cousin Ian, I wouldn't have been in this world very long. He saved my life.”
The Limavady woman is now encouraging people to consider signing up to become organ donors in a bid to help save the lives of others.
“I would really encourage people to sign up to become organ donors as no-one knows when they may need one. Getting my donor definitely changed my life,” she added.
To celebrate her ‘kidneyversary’ - the anniversary of her transplant - Wilma is throwing a celebratory afternoon tea on Saturday, July 25.
Taking place in Largy Community Centre, 125 Drumrane Road, Limavady, BT49 9LQ, the event which runs from 1pm to 3pm, will raise funds for the renal unit at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Everyone is welcome to attend and local support is encouraged.