CKD diagnosis, experiences and transplant

"I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2007. I was still healthy and young and full of plans for the future, so hearing that I had a lifelong condition was incredibly difficult to process. All of a sudden, I was having conversations about kidney function, treatment, and the possibility of needing a kidney transplant. I remember feeling shocked, frightened, and uncertain about what life would look like. What stands out the most is how suddenly everything changed, but it also marked the beginning of a journey where I learned just how resilient I could be.

"My kidney function declined gradually over several years after diagnosis. It wasn't an overnight change, but more a case of slowly adjusting to each new stage of the disease and trying to carry on with everyday life while knowing my kidneys were getting worse.

"I tried to stay positive and hopeful, but it was always in the back of my mind that I would eventually need treatment. When transplantation stopped being a distant possibility and became something very real, I had to confront how serious my condition had become, but it also gave me hope that there could be a future beyond kidney failure.

"The journey to living donor transplantation was emotional for me and my family. Having conversations about organ donation with the people you love is never easy because you don't want anyone to feel pressured or frightened. My mum offered to be tested, and when we found out she was a match, I felt such a mixture of gratitude, relief and guilt because she was willing to go through major surgery for me. That's an enormous thing to do, to give me a second chance at life. Realising just how selfless my mum was... it's impossible to fully put that kind of love into words."

"I had my kidney transplant in 2013, and I'll never forget the day of the operation. I was nervous, but also incredibly hopeful because after years of illness, it felt like the start of a new chapter.

"Recovery wasn't always easy, there were physical and emotional challenges, but the transplant completely transformed my quality of life. I've been able to do things I once thought might never be possible, such as becoming a mum myself and taking on physical challenges such as long charity bike rides and mountain climbing, plus raising awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.

"My experience of kidney disease has been tumultuous, but I've found solace in my family's love and support. My kidney transplant gave me my life back, and I'll always be grateful to my mum for that gift."

Pregnancy: our honeymoon surprise

"The year after my transplant, after a beautiful wedding ceremony, my husband and I went on honeymoon to India, where I discovered I was pregnant. The realisation I was pregnant came with a whirlwind of emotions – excitement, anticipation and nervousness. I cherished every moment of my pregnancy, but being pregnant after a kidney transplant is not without challenges. For most expectant women, pregnancy is filled with routine checks and planning for the little one's arrival. But for someone like me, who has undergone a transplant, the experience was layered with additional concerns and precautions.

"Every decision, meal, activity was weighed against potential risks and benefits. My baby's health and the functioning of my transplanted kidney were of paramount importance. I maintained a healthy diet, abstained from alcohol and ensured I was physically active, albeit with necessary precautions.

"Regular hospital visits, blood tests, urine samples and blood pressure check-ups became more crucial. But throughout, the medical team's support, and organisations like the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International, were invaluable. I was warned my creatinine level could rise during pregnancy and remain at an elevated baseline after delivery but the overall risk of significant damage to my new kidney, during or after pregnancy, was low.

"Due to my kidney disease history, I was also at increased risk for pre-eclampsia – characterised by high blood pressure and potential damage to organs like the liver and kidneys. The associated risks of premature delivery and need for a caesarean section (C-section) were also factors as there is a 1–2% risk of damage to the graft during a C-section."

Giving birth and the gift of life

"In the days leading up to my son George's birth my blood pressure started to rise and I developed pre-eclampsia, which needed very close monitoring.

"The medical team decided the safest course of action was to induce labour. My body seemed to take over, allowing a natural delivery. George Richard Patrick Allardyce's birth, on 18 September 2015, was a moment etched in my memory forever. The overwhelming emotion of holding him for the first time was a culmination of a journey filled with hope, resilience and love.

"Fast forward to 19 August 2017, and I was in the maternity ward again, awaiting the birth of my daughter, Rosealin Margaret. Her birth came five weeks earlier than expected, due to a recurrence of pre-eclampsia. The medical team started the induction process again and hypnobirthing techniques ensured another speedy delivery. The joy of holding my daughter was indescribable."

"Being pregnant and giving birth after a kidney transplant was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the miracles of modern medicine. It was about celebrating the gift of life, twice over – once for the kidney that gave me a second chance and once for the life growing inside me.

"But for anyone who has undergone a kidney transplant, like me, the experience of giving birth is layered with additional worries. It is about making informed choices, trusting your medical community and believing in your own strength. My two beautiful children, George and Rosealin, are constant reminders of this, as is the boundless love of my mother, who donated one of her kidneys to me. George and Rosealin are my miracles."

Kay’s book Thanks for My Kidney, Mum! is available from www.kosteo.co.uk

This story was first featured in Kidney Matters issue 24 and Kidney Matters issue 25.