Cate Pallet-kidney donor
I have been lucky in life. When the day came that my sister’s life was turned upside down by Kidney failure the decision for me was not a hard one.
It was 1994 my sister Kristen had returned to New Zealand to get married. We had a lovely garden wedding at home and went to a restaurant for the reception. It was here at the party Kristen told my mother that she felt dreadful and needed to go home to rest. So here we were left at the wedding reception having a good celebration without the bride or groom.
The next day Kristen went to see our family GP, only to find out she had 5% of her kidneys working and could have had a stroke at any time. She was immediately rushed to hospital and put on dialysis.
Both my parents were tested to donate a kidney and were a positive match, though other medical complications prevented them from being donors. I was prepared to give a kidney from the start. However through my own medical upheavals (I had a brain tumour at 15 yrs old) my parents did not want me to be tested. I had three other sisters, however due to their own circumstances they decided not to get tested.
So as the story goes I graduated from University in 1995 at 22 yrs old and Kristen’s life had been over taken by the daily routine of dialysis. As I knew what it was like to have illness dictate your life I made the decision to get tested without my parent’s knowledge. I had a sneaky suspicion I would a positive match.
The results of the tests came through POSITIVE and the rest is history. Kristen received my kidney in 1995 and here we are in 2009 and we are both living healthy full lives. I do not consider myself a saint for doing just what I would hope someone would do for me if I needed them to. I know Kristen is grateful, but to me I was just happy I could help.
As I had gone through numerous medical interventions in the past the prospect of acquiring another scar did not faze me. In 1995 the procedure was more invasive however today in 2009 I understand the kidney is removed in keyhole surgery and the recovery period for the donor is shorter.
I understand the fear that stops people from donating a kidney however I am a living, breathing example that life does not have to change for you and you can function perfectly well with only one. I don’t give it a minutes thought about the ‘what if’ questions (what if something happens to my one remaining kidney). My philosophy has always been why worry about something that may never happen.
I would always encourage others to donate whether it be in the form of money, blood or much needed organs. I am a firm believer of fate. No one knows what’s around the corner for them so life needs to be lived to the full. Donating gives you the opportunity to help others realise that dream.
Cate Pallett
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