Bywyd Newydd: Rhoi Organau

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Every year in Britain, thousands

-of people wait for new organs.

-It can be a long wait.

-Time is short

-for those on the list...

-..hoping a suitable organ

-will become available.

-For families and loved ones,

-hope is all they have to hold on to.

-This year in Wales, there has been

-a change in the organ donation law.

-Since December 1, if you haven't

-opted out of the new system...

-..you give presumed consent...

-..and your organs

-can be donated after you die.

-It will give those on the waiting

-list a second chance for life.

-PUB MUSIC

-Ian!

-There's an open mic Thursday night

-at the Palace Vaults, Caernarfon.

-If anyone has an instrument,

-a song, a poem, whatever...

-..they come up and do their stuff

-in front of an audience.

-Let's go!

-Do you want to present it

-or go straight in? Talk later!

-I watch mostly.

-But from time to time, I like to

-bring out the guitar. I live nearby.

-It depends who is here.

-I'll ask if I can join in.

-Four years ago, Ian Huw from

-Caernarfon received a new heart.

-# We're still here

-# Hale and hearty #

-For years, I couldn't do anything.

-I couldn't go to play.

-I was stuck at home.

-The guitar has been a blessing.

-But, I must admit,

-my hands shook and I was very weak.

-I couldn't play or do a lot.

-I've built up slowly, over time.

-I've begun to play more

-in public for about a year.

-I've grown in confidence.

-# We're still here

-# We're still here

-# Hale and hearty #

-APPLAUSE

-Thanks!

-You haven't come here recently,

-with the bad weather.

-No.

-Ian hadn't felt 100% for some time.

-He wasn't sure why.

-But it was obvious to his daughter,

-Leah, that something was wrong.

-He couldn't do much

-without feeling breathless.

-He was weak. He couldn't walk.

-After ten steps, he had

-to stop to catch his breath.

-He used to like to leapfrog...

-..over posts in the street

-in Caernarfon.

-A few years ago, he tried doing it

-but failed, and he was breathless.

-That's when he began

-to notice things weren't right.

-I have two rows of potatoes.

-Nothing is growing in the third row.

-I have two rows of leeks.

-Ian went to the doctor and had

-an echo scan and further tests.

-I remember going

-for the echo scan with a young chap.

-I asked him for the result.

-He turned white and sat down.

-He said, "I'm not qualified

-to tell you this.

-"But I'm shocked."

-I wondered what he'd seen.

-He was a technician, not a doctor.

-I didn't think anything of it.

-Then I heard

-that I had this problem.

-Ian's health had

-deteriorated so much...

-..that a heart transplant

-was the only solution.

-I was under the care

-of a consultant in Ysbyty Gwynedd.

-He said, "I think you're ready

-to be assessed for a transplant."

-I thought, "This is quite serious."

-You hear about these things.

-I didn't know anyone

-who'd had anything like that.

-He was very cool.

-He was quite accepting.

-If no heart came, he thought he'd

-had a good life. He wasn't stressed.

-He just carried on, saying,

-whatever happened, he was content.

-I think I had the same attitude too.

-I was on the list

-for about six months.

-Then, of course, there were

-problems with the kidneys.

-They decided that

-the kidneys were so bad...

-..there was no hope

-for a transplant.

-So I came off the list.

-Seven thousand people wait

-for organs every year in Britain.

-They're all on a waiting list.

-When a new organ

-becomes available...

-..people on the list are assessed.

-The most suitable recipient

-is given priority.

-Patients want to go on the list.

-We explain that they have to be

-fit enough for surgery first.

-They go through the process.

-We refer them to surgeons to make

-sure they're happy with them.

-We don't want anything to happen to

-patients. We must keep a balance.

-Sometimes we have to take people

-off the list, or suspend them.

-They're on the list,

-but suspended for a while.

-Something has happened, they might

-not be fit enough at that time.

-We sometimes have to tell people

-they wouldn't benefit from it.

-Their health might

-have deteriorated.

-They might be worse

-after a transplant.

-We sometimes take people

-off the list too.

-Sharon Wynne from Llangefni has been

-on the waiting list for 14 months.

-She needs a new kidney.

-I found out a year last March

-when I went to the doctor.

-They took my blood pressure...

-..and found out I had

-14% kidney function...

-..chronic kidney disease stage five.

-I had to have

-a transplant or dialysis.

-I had a virus

-that attacked my kidneys.

-It stopped them working properly

-and removed too much protein.

-It puts strain on the kidney.

-Anyone can get it.

-It's called the silent killer.

-There aren't many symptoms,

-just feeling tired.

-I was working hard,

-so I put it down to that.

-I was really shocked.

-I still don't believe

-it's happening to me.

-Sharon works in a gym in Bodffordd,

-offering therapeutic massage.

-Since becoming ill,

-work is a strain.

-It's hard, physical work,

-but I love it.

-It's a vocation. I'd do it for free.

-Before this happened,

-I worked eight to ten hours a day.

-I might do six to eight massages.

-Now, I'm lucky if I can do one,

-or two at most.

-It has a knock-on effect

-on my confidence.

-I work at Mark's place.

-He's good to me.

-I do "pay as you go."

-If I'm well, he lets me use a room.

-Use something else. Go for it.

-Use something else. Go for it.

-

-Just a bit.

-If it makes the job easier for you.

-She used to be lively and full

-of energy, always up for a laugh.

-It's a pity.

-There's a big difference

-since she's been on dialysis.

-When she's had dialysis, sometimes

-she comes in, full of beans.

-She's had strength somewhere.

-When she hasn't had it

-or is due to have it, she flags.

-She has no strength.

-Before, she used to have the

-attitude, "Come on, bring it on!"

-Now when she comes to work,

-it's not there. She can't help it.

-She'll put on an act

-that she's alright.

-It's a pity, but it's not in her.

-She tries, but we know her.

-We're good friends.

-Mark is one in a million. He offered

-to take a test, to donate a kidney.

-We've been good friends for years.

-Yes, I put my name down,

-that I'd be happy to be tested.

-She didn't believe me at first.

-I said, "I'm not joking.

-I have another. You can have one."

-I'd have been happy to donate one.

-She has to go through

-all this waiting.

-It's a strain on her body.

-But Sharon is strong.

-She'll stick in there

-until she's better.

-She'll keep going.

-Life on the waiting list means

-that disappointment is common.

-We've had false alarms. He was

-called, "There's a heart for you."

-Actually, I had a phone call

-once from Manchester Hospital.

-"There's a heart.

-We can't reach your father."

-His phone was off, or had no signal.

-I said, "OK, I'll look for him."

-I rushed off and took him there.

-The first time, there was a problem,

-an infection on the heart.

-The second time, it wasn't

-quite the right tissue type.

-I had been prepared. I was

-in the ward, my body was shaved.

-I wasn't disappointed.

-The main problem was I'd phoned

-so many people from the ambulance.

-I said, "It's happening today!"

-I had to phone again on the way home

-to say, "Sorry, it didn't happen."

-I was called in three times

-in six months.

-Sharon has two daughters

-and a grandson, Elis.

-Hearing about her condition

-was a big shock for the family.

-It was a shock. Mam never cries.

-We never see her upset.

-It was difficult.

-It's still difficult now.

-Sioned and I often have meals

-together. We both enjoy food.

-She's gotten into gardening now,

-because I like gardening.

-We go round nurseries.

-And I see Elis.

-Wait!

-LAUGHTER

-Yeah!

-It's great, being a grandmother.

-You have a lot more

-patience when you're older.

-It's great, a totally

-different kind of love.

-Waah!

-She tires more.

-She catches infections from anyone.

-But she's tough.

-She says, "No, I'm fine!"

-I think she's disappointed

-that she can't do a lot with him.

-Things like taking him places

-or going for a walk.

-She's been getting tired.

-Babysitting is fine,

-but he's in bed.

-She has missed out a lot.

-Yes.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-For people like Ian Huw,

-who has had a transplant...

-..regular hospital visits

-are a part of life.

-There's a warm feeling when

-I come to hospital. I feel safe.

-I have consultations

-with different doctors...

-..seven or eight in Ysbyty Gwynedd.

-Coming to hospital isn't a pain.

-I'm happy to be here.

-This is something

-that generally happens.

-Make yourself comfortable.

-Whenever I arrive at a hospital,

-although I feel calm...

-..my blood pressure shoots up,

-for some reason.

-As a result of the heart failure,

-the kidneys are in a bit of a state.

-On top of that,

-I have kidney stones too.

-From time to time,

-I catch an infection.

-My immune system can't fight it.

-I have to get rid of them. There

-are two or three ways to do this.

-Two aren't suitable, so they'll

-probably go for the laser treatment.

-I've come here today

-to see if I'm strong enough.

-You're not on Thyroxine?

-You're not on Thyroxine?

-

-No.

-It will stop me having infections.

-My kidneys won't improve

-because of the surgery.

-But life will be better for me.

-Keep still, please.

-My kidneys were hit three times,

-when I got the condition.

-Other organs tend to go.

-I take water tablets.

-That accelerates

-the kidneys' deterioration.

-After the surgery,

-the kidneys got a knock.

-They've been injured in three ways

-over time. This won't help.

-Hopefully, this will get rid of the

-stones and I won't get infections.

-But there's always a small chance...

-..that the kidneys deteriorate

-after the surgery.

-It is a pain.

-But I'm not overly worried about it.

-While waiting for a new kidney,

-Sharon needs hospital treatment.

-Her kidneys aren't

-working at all now.

-Where are you going tonight?

-I'm going to Bangor by 5.45pm.

-I'll have dialysis for four hours.

-How often do you go?

-Every Monday, Wednesday

-and Friday evenings.

-Since when have you been going?

-Since when have you been going?

-

-Since April. About six months.

-Why do you go in the evenings?

-I go between six and ten.

-After coming home,

-I have a good night's sleep.

-I used to go in the mornings

-and came back by 1.00pm.

-All I wanted to do

-was sleep for four hours.

-I'd wake up at 7.00pm

-and couldn't sleep until 3.00am.

-Then I was tired the next day.

-Like this, I have the days.

-It suits me better.

-How has it affected your life?

-It's taken over my life.

-I can't do anything during the week.

-I have to go.

-I go on Friday, then

-I don't have to go until Monday.

-I have the weekend.

-I try to meet friends on Saturday.

-How would it work,

-if you wanted to go on holiday?

-I hope to go next month

-to Lanzarote with my daughter.

-As long as there's a dialysis

-centre where you're going...

-..you can go.

-How do you feel about having it

-in a different country?

-I was nervous,

-wondering what it would like.

-But everyone says that dialysis

-units abroad are more advanced.

-I don't need to worry.

-You'll be on dialysis

-until you get a transplant.

-Yes.

-How do you feel about that?

-I can't wait to get it done.

-It's dragging a bit now.

-I want to have it.

-I know I'll feel better.

-I'll be able to get back to normal,

-go back to work.

-I'd like it before Christmas,

-so I can start the new year afresh.

-Of the 30,000 people

-who die in Wales every year...

-..only about 250 die

-in circumstances...

-..when their organs can be donated.

-There are two types, heart-beating

-and non-heart-beating donors.

-A heart-beating donor is in

-intensive care, on a ventilator.

-There has been a diagnosis

-of brain stem death.

-Someone might come in

-to Accident And Emergency...

-..and we might not be able to give

-the person any more treatment.

-If they die

-in a certain timeframe...

-..their organs can be

-considered as potential donors.

-Of the 250 people

-who could donate...

-..only about 70 have

-agreed to do so.

-So organs are very scarce.

-At least 30 people die every year

-in Wales on the waiting list.

-One of the lucky ones

-is Jackie Houston-Roberts...

-..a former nurse from Dinas,

-near Caernarfon.

-Jackie began dialysis

-in May this year.

-She was very worried

-she'd face years of dialysis.

-I had been a nurse,

-so I knew what was ahead.

-There was no way out of it.

-It wouldn't get better

-without a transplant, really.

-I also knew how scarce

-kidneys are for transplants.

-I thought a transplant

-was out of the question...

-..unless a family

-member was compatible.

-My sister offered,

-but she wasn't compatible.

-That didn't go any further.

-I just had to wait

-and start dialysis.

-Obviously, that was upsetting.

-I felt...

-..that was it.

-After starting dialysis,

-there's no way back.

-It was just a matter

-of accepting what happened.

-For how long were you on dialysis?

-I began the end of April,

-on my birthday, for two weeks.

-I was a bit downhearted.

-But I felt I was luckier

-than many people.

-In a month, I got the kidney.

-A policeman came here at 4.00am.

-I thought something serious

-had happened to a family member.

-That's why I went to the window.

-He told me to phone Liverpool and

-that there was a potential kidney.

-So I phoned.

-They said they wanted me in

-Liverpool and they'd send transport.

-So off I went.

-What went through your mind

-on the way there?

-I felt...

-..quite irrationally...

-..that other people needed it

-more than me, in a way.

-I'd only waited six weeks.

-It was only the next day I started

-to think about what had happened.

-I was quite emotional.

-It worked immediately.

-My blood levels

-came down straightaway.

-It was like a miracle.

-Yes.

-But Sharon from Llangefni

-is still waiting.

-Most people wait between two

-and three years for a transplant.

-The hope for that phone call

-is there all the time.

-I panic if the phone goes off,

-if the battery has gone.

-You never know when you'll get

-the phone call, day or night.

-It'll give me a second

-chance for life.

-Life is on hold

-since a year last March.

-They take my blood out

-with the blue tube.

-It goes through

-the machine and the filter.

-It comes back clean

-through the other tube.

-What do they filter out?

-Potassium, phosphate, protein.

-They poison the body.

-It has to be clean.

-A healthy kidney

-would get rid of them.

-Yes, naturally.

-When you have dialysis,

-you have no kidney function at all.

-Basically, this keeps you alive.

-You don't feel anything.

-After an hour, I begin to tingle.

-There's something new,

-alien really, in your body.

-We're used to dirty blood, in a way.

-That's all it is.

-It isn't uncomfortable at all.

-I get cold, so I have a blanket,

-slippers and a pillow.

-I'll sleep in a bit.

-I'll sleep in a bit.

-

-Why are you cold?

-The blood coming

-from the machine is cold.

-Does it have to be cold?

-Does it have to be cold?

-

-Yes.

-I asked, but if they put

-it up, it would clot.

-You have to take it.

-You have sweets and crisps.

-You don't usually have them.

-On dialysis, you can eat whatever

-you like. It doesn't go in the body.

-The machine cleans it.

-Everyone eats crisps and sweets

-here. You can eat anything.

-That's one handy thing about it!

-That's one handy thing about it!

-

-Yes.

-I have a vodka bottle in my bag.

-Not really!

-Another reality for people

-who have had a transplant...

-..is taking medication

-to take care of the new organ.

-I'd say I pop about 15 a day.

-I take about six in the morning

-and evening, and one mid-afternoon.

-Keeping to the routine

-is very important.

-The tablets include steroids.

-They have the potential

-to make the bones brittle.

-So I have to take medication...

-..as a preventative measure

-for osteoporosis.

-I have to keep clear of some fruit,

-like grapefruit.

-That works against one

-of the anti-rejections, oddly.

-Because of the immunosuppressants,

-I mustn't get sunburnt.

-It would probably become cancerous.

-As long as I keep on top of things

-and take the medication regularly...

-..I'll be fine.

-You have a very positive attitude.

-You're not a natural worrier.

-Yes, that's certainly true.

-I don't know if I'm silly...

-..and burying my head in the sand.

-I have taken care of myself.

-I haven't been silly.

-I haven't let my health

-hold me back or let it worry me.

-That attitude has certainly helped.

-When are you going on holiday?

-When are you going on holiday?

-

-Sunday.

-This Sunday? Nice!

-For how long?

-For how long?

-

-A week.

-Delyth Jones from Llanfairpwll

-is also on dialysis.

-Delyth became gravely ill

-very suddenly.

-She had no idea anything was wrong.

-I crash-landed here last March.

-One day, I was working.

-The next, I was in an ambulance

-going to Casualty.

-What did they say

-when you were diagnosed?

-That I had to have dialysis.

-They said I could get

-some kidney function back...

-..or I'd be on dialysis for life...

-..until a possible transplant,

-if my health permitted.

-People associate it with old age.

-Unfortunately,

-it can happen to anyone.

-Are you having a transplant?

-Are you having a transplant?

-

-I hope so.

-My sister had tests

-in Heath Hospital, Cardiff.

-I hope we'll move forward

-in January.

-Cross fingers.

-I've carried a card since I was 14.

-I didn't think I'd ever need it.

-That's how it goes.

-You don't know

-when or who will need an organ.

-Are people still reluctant

-to talk about it?

-Yes.

-But at the end of the day, you

-don't need organs when you're dead.

-So...

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-There you are.

-Let's play with the blocks.

-Sharon from Llangefni

-is on the kidney waiting list.

-But a live donor is another option.

-We only need one kidney.

-The donor's kidney and blood must

-be compatible with the recipient.

-It's usually a member of the family.

-To Sharon, a live donor's kidney

-is a real possibility.

-Her two daughters were tested

-and they are compatible.

-In the meantime,

-she's still on the waiting list.

-It's been a hard decision,

-knowing what to do.

-Wait for the phone call

-from Liverpool...

-..or ask someone to be a live donor.

-They were both insistent they

-wanted to do it, fair play to them.

-She didn't have to ask.

-My sister and I were tested first.

-Luckily, we were both a match.

-It was hard to decide between us.

-They said I had to choose.

-I couldn't pick one.

-How could I?

-They're so similar.

-Nia's BMI

-is a little higher than Sioned's.

-Sioned was chosen

-because she'd recover the fastest.

-She has a great kidney to give me.

-If she donates a kidney...

-..her other kidney

-is better than average.

-It's a comfort to know

-I'm not depriving her.

-I've had scans on the two...

-..and all sorts of different tests.

-They described my kidneys as being

-as healthy as a six-year-old's.

-It will be quite

-an undertaking for Sioned.

-But she's young, healthy

-and not overly worried.

-I've had a caesarean.

-They'll go through

-the caesarean scar.

-It takes up

-to twelve weeks to recover.

-It will mean

-a three day hospital stay.

-I won't need to take any medication.

-I was driving six weeks

-after the caesarean.

-I was fine.

-Sometimes I think

-I'd prefer a phone call.

-Then I think

-a live donor kidney would be better.

-What else can I do?

-I've psyched myself up so much

-that I'm the donor.

-I want to give it.

-I know she would do it for me.

-LAUGHTER

-People ask me,

-"Do you know what you're doing?"

-I know they're thinking about me.

-Perhaps they're scared.

-I haven't had the chance

-to be scared.

-I'm quite strong, I think.

-I get that from Mam!

-Gareth Roberts lives in Llanrug,

-near Caernarfon...

-..with his girlfriend Sara

-and their son Wil.

-Gareth had a kidney transplant

-when he was two.

-I couldn't pass water

-when I was born.

-By the time

-the problem was discovered...

-..both kidneys were beyond repair.

-I was six weeks old

-when they discovered the problem.

-Within the first year,

-they knew I'd need a transplant.

-I can imagine it was a worrying time

-for my parents.

-From what my parents say,

-I was lifeless.

-They could put me

-in a room for hours...

-..and I wouldn't move

-or make a noise.

-Do you want a drink?

-I was on the waiting list

-for three weeks.

-The call came in the early hours,

-to say a kidney was available.

-We travelled overnight to Manchester

-for the operation.

-It's been a part of my life.

-I've grown up knowing

-that every six weeks...

-..through junior and secondary

-school...

-..I'd have to go to Alder Hey

-for a check-up.

-It's always been a part of my life.

-That was a bit of a wobble.

-That one?

-I can't remember being ill,

-to know what it's like to be better.

-I had the kidney and I've lived life

-to the full.

-My immune system is weaker.

-It takes longer for me to recover

-from a cold or sore throat.

-In general, my health is excellent.

-It wasn't so easy for Ian Huw...

-..to recover after

-his heart transplant.

-He was under medical supervision

-for two years...

-..and put in an induced coma

-for his body to recover.

-He was in the coma for so many days,

-his body forgot what to do.

-He had to learn to walk again.

-When they were bringing him round,

-they sat him in a chair.

-He couldn't even hold his head up.

-He looked like an old man,

-not well at all.

-He had intensive daily physiotherapy

-because his muscles had wasted away.

-What worried him the most

-was not playing the guitar.

-He exercised his fingers.

-That was his priority, to make

-sure he could play the guitar.

-That was more important

-than walking!

-The first two years

-are the most difficult.

-Anything can happen.

-I had about six rejections

-in the first year.

-His body rejected the new heart.

-It was a foreign body.

-He had to take immunosuppressants...

-..so his immune system

-didn't attack the new heart.

-The word "rejection"

-isn't as serious as it sounds.

-I've seen images, or a video...

-..of an old heart next to

-a new heart on a monitor.

-The old heart pumps like this.

-The new one is much stronger.

-That's the difference.

-That isn't going to stop.

-The arteries are clean.

-That's not how rejection works.

-I didn't feel a thing.

-Kathy Rumbelow works

-in Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen.

-She's a specialist nurse

-in organ donation.

-She stays

-with the bereaved family...

-..to discuss organ donation...

-..and whether to donate or not.

-She works with the grief-stricken

-family at a difficult time.

-It makes no difference

-if it's a child or adult.

-The family is grieving...

-..about the loss of

-a child, mother, father...

-..sister, brother, husband or wife.

-As a specialist nurse...

-..we use everything we've learnt...

-..to make sure that every

-family is treated the same...

-..whatever the circumstances.

-Most of the families

-decide to go ahead...

-..especially if it was

-the deceased's wishes.

-About a week after

-the transplant has taken place...

-..we write to the family.

-We provide information...

-..such as the sex and age

-of the organ donor.

-The families take comfort

-from the letter.

-It helps them through

-the period of mourning.

-Once the transplant

-has taken place...

-..the patient can choose

-to find out who the donor was.

-I'd have to make a formal request

-for information about the donor.

-I'd discuss it

-with a nurse or doctor.

-I've chosen not to know.

-I can find out the age...

-..sex and height of the donor...

-..and how the person died.

-I can find out that much.

-I can send a letter of thanks

-to the department in Manchester.

-If the donor's family decides

-to find out, they can.

-But they can't find out who we are.

-I'd want to know.

-He's chosen not to.

-He's had a new life

-at someone else's expense.

-I can't imagine where it came from,

-or what the circumstances were.

-Perhaps there's an element of guilt.

-He's alive when someone died.

-Somehow...

-..I don't want to dwell about

-what the family went through.

-What might they think about me?

-I couldn't find the words...

-..to express how grateful I am.

-It's been easier for me

-to forget about it.

-It's not something I'm proud of.

-That's how I've chosen to play it.

-Jackie received her kidney

-five months ago.

-She wanted to know

-who the donor was...

-..and to write to thank the family

-for the gift she'd received.

-It's hard to believe someone else's

-kidney is keeping me alive.

-I wanted to know about the donor.

-I couldn't find out much. I know

-he was a man the same age as me.

-He was married.

-I wanted to write

-as soon as possible.

-I was advised to leave

-it for a few months...

-..until I'd recovered

-from the operation.

-It's hard to just say thank you.

-It's not enough, really.

-There's a lot I want to say.

-I want to be concise,

-and not to be overemotional.

-I want them to understand

-how grateful I am...

-..and to know

-they've done something very special.

-I want them to know...

-..that I'll look after it...

-..and we could grow old together.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-When an organ

-is transplanted to a new body...

-..the recipient faces

-an uncertain future.

-A foreign organ won't do as well

-as the original, healthy organ.

-The recipient lives

-with the knowledge...

-..that the new organ

-could fail at any minute.

-Life expectancy

-for a man is 75 or 76.

-I had my organ when I was 53.

-They say to give it ten years.

-But I know

-people who have had 20 years.

-That'll take me up to 70.

-And of course,

-from December onwards...

-..I might get offered the chance

-of a further twenty years.

-People ask me

-if his character has changed...

-..whether he has

-the donor's features.

-He hasn't changed.

-No!

-It's strange to think

-he has someone else's heart.

-From

-a psychological perspective...

-..I was surprised there

-was no-one to talk to about it.

-It could have

-a big effect on the person.

-I don't think it's affected him.

-It could, to think

-he has another person's heart.

-We associate

-the heart with emotions...

-..unlike the liver.

-It must be very strange...

-..to think

-it's someone else's heart.

-Gareth had a kidney transplant

-as a baby...

-..enabling him

-to enjoy family life today.

-It's great to have a little boy...

-..however healthy you are.

-I was worried

-when we knew Wil was coming...

-..whether he'd have

-the same problem as me.

-Could it be passed down?

-Thank goodness, it wasn't.

-And now I have an 18-month-old boy.

-On average,

-a new kidney lasts six years.

-Gareth's kidney has worked well

-for 27 years.

-It could fail tomorrow, next year

-or six years down the line.

-As far as I'm concerned,

-it's done so well.

-I'm still taking tablets.

-I go for check-ups to Ysbyty

-Gwynedd every three or four months.

-It's part of my life to do that.

-It could happen at any time.

-There's nothing I can do

-to prevent that.

-If I keep taking the tablets,

-there's a chance it won't happen.

-Ian was lucky enough

-to have a new heart.

-But his other organs have suffered

-while he waited for the transplant.

-He's worried about his kidneys...

-..and what could happen

-if they deteriorate further.

-I've come to see Mr Jibani,

-the kidney specialist.

-I see him every three months.

-He's more than happy

-with the way things are.

-He'll check the blood results

-to find out where I stand.

-What is he looking for?

-Creatinine levels.

-It's a kidney function reading.

-A healthy person

-would have levels below 100...

-..about 90.

-I'm on 180, which is too high.

-But it's stayed round 180

-for two to three years.

-We're happy with that.

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-Very well.

-No problems.

-Nothing untoward going on.

-Let me show you what your

-last kidney test looked like...

-..if it's any different from before.

-Creatinine was 193.

-It's gone down slightly.

-193?

-193?

-

-It's gone up slightly.

-I thought I was round the 180.

-180 and 190

-is really exactly the same.

-For example, if I do a blood test,

-the same sample, twice...

-..you get 5% difference

-in the same analysis.

-I wouldn't worry about it.

-If we find a trend,

-going up steady every week...

-..then we'd start to worry.

-I'm happy with the way it is.

-Looking back, Ian, you can see that

-in 2013, it was 195.

-It does have that difference,

-up and down.

-But the overall trend

-is very stable.

-As long as your kidney function

-seems stable, I'm happy.

-Would there be a possibility

-of my having a kidney transplant?

-Yes.

-I had a patient

-who had a liver transplant...

-..and had exactly

-the same story that you have...

-..the degree of damage

-to the kidneys.

-We ended up giving him

-a kidney transplant.

-I don't think you're anywhere

-near that, by the way.

-My job is to make sure

-that you are monitored just in case.

-That's nice to hear.

-That's nice to hear.

-

-So far, all looking good.

-Cheerio!

-Thanks.

-That went well.

-Yes. I'm very pleased

-about the blood reading.

-I could tell from his expression

-that he wasn't worried about me.

-That was nice. It was a good chat.

-You asked whether you'd be a

-candidate for another transplant.

-Did his reaction surprise you?

-Did his reaction surprise you?

-

-The answer was great.

-It was as if he was saying,

-"Yes, of course. Why do you ask?"

-Since I've had the transplant...

-..being under medical supervision...

-..in Wythenshawe Hospital,

-Manchester...

-..or Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor

-is the norm for me.

-I'm glad we live in an age

-where it's possible.

-My kidneys are doing well.

-I don't need dialysis.

-There will be a time

-when I'll need dialysis.

-That's when they'll decide

-whether to put me back on a list.

-The new legislation will do me,

-and people like me, a big favour.

-It's hoped that presumed consent...

-..will result in more organs

-for transplants.

-Talking about it is vital...

-..to ensure families are aware

-of their loved one's wishes.

-We hope the new law means

-people will talk about it.

-Presumed consent

-has been introduced.

-It needs to be discussed

-and decisions made.

-If something happens, and the family

-is asked about organ donation...

-..if the family is against it,

-or don't know the person's wishes...

-..they can say no

-and nothing will happen.

-I've encouraged people

-to donate organs...

-..ever since I understood

-what organ donation is.

-It was life-changing to me

-when I was a baby.

-It's life-changing for anyone,

-regardless of age.

-I was on the donor register...

-..before I knew I was ill.

-I didn't know

-what the future held for me.

-I wish people

-wouldn't be frightened...

-..and that they discussed it more.

-They should realize

-how big a gift it is.

-It's the gift of life, literally.

-It opens the floodgates

-for people like me.

-It's such an incredible gift

-to give.

-Your child, grandchild or niece

-might need an organ.

-You never know.

-If you're happy to accept one,

-you have to give.

-I don't understand

-the argument against it.

-It's sad that someone has died.

-But if some good can come of it...

-..and giving someone

-the gift of life, why not do it?

-S4C Subtitles by Gwead

-.