by Caoimhe Hegarty

A Bellaghy man, who became a father for the first time just eight weeks ago, has said that his organ donor has not only given him the ‘gift of life’ but also the ‘chance’ to meet his new baby girl.

Little Carrie McKernan, like any new baby, is the centre of her mum and dad’s world.

When the County Derry Post caught up with Carrie’s mum and dad, Nicola and Chris, Carrie was perfectly content in her adoring father’s arms.

For now, little Carrie is completely oblivious to the incredibly tough journey that her parents have been on over the past 12 months and the fact that her dad may have not been around to meet her.

30 year-old Chris, who is originally from Clady, was born with Billy Atresia, a life-threatening liver condition in which one or more of the bile ducts are abnormally narrow, blocked, or absent.

At just eight-weeks old, Chris underwent surgery and while the operation was successful, his parents were told that he would more than likely need a liver transplant before he reached the age of five.

Growing up Chris’ condition never caused him much trouble. He even began to think that the doctors had got it wrong.

However in July last year, Chris, who works for Specialist Joinery in Maghera, was forced to take time off work due to severe stomach pains.

He had visited his local doctor and it was initially thought that the pain was being caused by acid reflux. But as the days passed Chris’ condition deteriorated to the point that he became very confused and started to lose his eyesight.

When this happened, his family became extremely concerned and took him straight to casualty.  Just a few hours later Chris suffered two brain seizures which left him on life support.

His wife and family were told the devastating news that there was a very real possibility that Chris would not survive.

The young quantity surveyor remained in an induced coma for several days but miraculously he started to fight back.

Chris amazed doctors by making a full recovery within a few days.

During his time in hospital, it was discovered that Chris’ liver had completely failed which had resulted in three twists in his bowel.  To untwist his bowel, he had to undergo a life-threatening operation.

Again his family were faced with the prospect of Chris not surviving but once more his strength shone through. Thankfully the operation was successful and Chris recovered quickly but there was more bad news was to come - his liver has suffered irreparable damage and he would need a liver transplant.

Chris was put on the organ transplant list in November but he was told that it could be some years before an organ became available.

For Chis and Nicola, it was a waiting game.

However, the long-awaited call came on July 20 just after midnight, nine months later. Chris and Nicola had to leave immediately to make their way to the airport. They were then transferred to King’s College Hospital in London via air ambulance.

The following morning Chris underwent his transplant

Chris stayed in London for 12 days before returning back to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.   After a few days in the Royal, Chris was given the green light to go home. But he didn’t have much time to focus on his recovery as just three weeks later, baby Carrie came along.

Now eight weeks on, baby Carrie, mum and dad are all doing well.

Recalling the past 12 months, Chris says that he just so ‘thankful’ to his organ donor for given him a second chance at life.

“I have to keep reminding myself to take it easy because it is still early days but I have never felt better.  I had been living with a weak liver all my life but now, with my new liver, I feel so healthy and strong.   

“When I suffered the seizures, my doctor told me that I was as close to death as you can be without dying. Thankfully, I have no lasting damage. The operation to untwist my bowels was very high-risk.  But without surgery, I wouldn’t have survived anyway.

“When I was told that I would need a liver transplant, I didn’t know what to think. The doctors told us that it was too great a risk, even getting the cold or flu would be very dangerous for me. My liver could fail at any time.

“We were told that it could take years before an organ would become available but it was still a very anxious time. We we’re always waiting for the call. When the phone rang that night, even though we were more than prepared for it, it still came as a shock. Nicola was 35 weeks pregnant but looking back now, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I am eternally grateful to the person who made the brave decision to become an organ donor. They have given me the gift of life and the chance to be here for my family.”

Appealing to the public to consider becoming an organ donor, Chris said: “There is the misconception that if you tick the box to become an organ donor on your driving licence application, that that is enough but the main thing is to have the conversation with your family. If anything was ever to happen, it will be your family that make the decision to donate your organs.

“It’s really when you have been through it that you realise just how many people, young and old, are waiting on that call.   I have no doubt that if it hadn’t been for my organ donor, I would not to be here to meet Carrie and for that I will be eternally grateful.

“Please just have that conversation about organ donation with your loved ones, because you don’t know whose life you could save,” said Chris.

Praising her husband for his bravery, Nicola said: “The past 12 months have been like a rollercoaster for us but Chris has been so strong throughout everything. On our way to the airport that night after getting the call, I could tell that Chris was nervous. Normally I would be the one that would be worrying but I had a feeling that everything was going to be ok. I think it was because with me being pregnant, Chris had more to fight for.

“After surgery he came around very quickly and was out of bed that day. The next day, he was up out of bed and walking about. He really was so strong throughout it all. However we couldn’t have come through this without the support of our family, friends and Chris’ work colleagues at Specialist Joinery.

“It is still early days for Chris but as a family, we are just so grateful that he has been given this second chance.”

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