Inverness man marks having his kidney donor for half his life
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AN Inverness man has marked having a donor kidney for 23 years and three months – the same length of time as he had previously lived with the non-viable pair of kidneys he was born with.
Stuart Dow (47) worked out that this month he has had the transplanted organ for exactly half his life, and travelled with sister Fiona to the renal unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he received the organ to thank staff.
Mr Dow, of Easter Muckovie, also handed in a Harry Gows “Thank You” cake to the same unit at Raigmore Hospital which has also provided care over the years, both before and since his transplant.
He also sadly but gratefully remembered that he has had the amazing kidney longer than its donor, a 22-year-old road accident victim from the Midlands.
He said: “It is very rare indeed for a non-family donor kidney to be so successful, and in fact any donor kidney over 20 years is described as an “ultra-successful transplant”.
“I felt the 23 years and three months since my transplant, half my life, was a good milestone to mark, and to publicly thank those who had made it possible, especially the young donor of course.
“It is also a good time to remind people about the fairly new opt-out status for people in the UK now, which is being given considerable advertising time on some TV channels.
“This basically means that anyone old enough is considered to be OK about donating an organ unless they register and say otherwise, although next of kin still have a final say.
“Anyone wanting to be an organ donor should really discuss their wishes with their folks.”
Remembering the day he was told a suitable kidney was available Mr Dow said his mother had been in Highland Hospice with terminal cancer at the time, but it did not stop her throwing a party when she heard the news.
“I believe they had to sedate her she was jumping about so much with delight at my news,” he said.
Mr Dow was a student at Bristol University when he first had kidney trouble and was admitted to Southmead Hospital’s ICU as an emergency case.
He said: “There followed multiple surgeries over two months to get me set up for dialysis, then I was transferred to Raigmore for a further month of nursing and training on home dialysis.”
Six months later he was placed on the transplant list and received the life-changing call just seven months later.
Sister Fiona said: “Stu having his donated kidney last so long and still going strong is a medical miracle!”
