'Grateful' for new kidney

18 February 2008Each day since her life-saving transplant, Lynsey Farra has been in touch with the woman who gave her a new life.

Three weeks ago, Farra, who works in Christchurch Hospital's cardiac ward, recieved a kidney form her friend and fellow nurse, Claire Johnston.

The pair were not related but were deemed medically compatible for the life-changing operation.

While there still was a danger Farra's body may reject the organ, doctors said both she and Johnston were recovering well.

The women had spoken on the phone, met for coffee or talked via email every day since the operation.

Farra told The Press in her first interview since the transplant she felt "very,very lucky" to be given the chance of a normal life. Before the transplant, she faced a lifetime on a dialysis machine and debilitating poor health.

Since the transplant, Farra said she had noticed small but significant improvements.

One of the changes was being able to eat a more "normal" diet rather than a salt and potassium-free one.

This meant being able to have potassium-loaded fruits such as bananas and kiwifruit for breakfast and savouring more meat and cheese.

"I'm having pumpkin tonight, which doesnt sound terribly exciting but it is to me since I haven't been able to eat it in ages."

She had been checked daily by doctors and would need anti-rejection medication for life.

While doctors were pleased with her progress, Farra still was nervous about the prospect of her body rejecting the organ.

She did not want to be photographed by The Press for fear it may "jinx" her recovery.

"Nobody really talks about the emotional effects but they are very real, and I'm still processing things.

"I worry about Claires health and future. I worry every time I go to the clinic that things are going to be OK."

Despite her fears, she was buoyed by the support of friends and family and by seeing other transplant patients. "They look so beautiful and healthy. It is so good to see people at 12 weeks or later on and see how well they are doing."

Johnston said she had no regrets about donating her kidney and her health was back to normal just a fortnight after the operation.

She had recieved a lot of postive feedback from friends, family and the public. Someone even sent an email saying that reading her story had made them think about donating.

Kim Thomas, Health reporter.