I’m Diana, I gave my spare kidney to a stranger nearly 10 years ago.
Around a month after my operation I had made a full recovery and was able to return to my lifestyle of walking in the Peak District, going on holidays and something else that I’d always taken for granted – drinking whatever volume of whatever I chose whenever I liked.
It was a lovely feeling that my month of minor inconvenience (really just post-operative tiredness) has enabled someone else the freedom to go on holiday too as they no longer have to have dialysis for four hours four times a week.
I have never met my recipient but the the very appreciative thank-you note from him was an unexpected bonus. I know he can drink however much he likes now – to quote him, “I can swap my sips of water to pints of icy coke!” -plus he has extra time to spend with his family.
I have never regretted for one second donating a kidney and was brilliantly supported by all the staff at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, and my own family.
I’m not a cyclist but as you can see from the photo I do enjoy walking. My husband and I had honestly just completed the Dales Way – we didn’t just sit there!
