h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, yesterday at my daughter Laura's 40th birthday meal I found myself sitting next to my ex-husband, my older 3 children's father. (His wife was at work.) He's having a kidney transplant in July, that his wife is donating. How amazing is that?!? I will post updates in this journal as and when I get news from our offspring. I wish them all the best and speedy recoveries.

I know someone who had a successful living kidney transplant. When I was working for Pets As Therapy with Gordon and his dog Snoopy, the lady who ran our branch of the charity had a kidney donated by her best friend. She got "a new lease of life" and is about to turn 63 this month, she's just a tad younger than me, but doesn't look any older than 50! And still working for the charity although it has been renamed now and I don't see her but we are in touch on Facebook.

I carry a donor card and have registered my wishes and told my children
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/register-your-details/

Yesterday, I went online and registered as a donor but I am unable to donate blood because of the epilepsy medication and other medication. I have printed my donor card but I hope I will get one in the post.

I used to have a donor card which I first got in the 70's and 80's but lost it with the many moves me I had.

I can't donate blood either, due to the medication I am on.

Same here. But they can take whatever they want once I don't need it any more. Peg leg included

err ? "daughter Laura's 40th birthday meal" does she only eat once a year then ?

sadly I can't donate blood or my organs... - apparently I'm just too toxic or something

but, thinking of living organ transplants, my Dad's neighbours did this, the Whife (used to be my dinner lady at school), recieved a kidney from her husband and both are still doing fine... Well, she's coping with his increasingly odd inventions and engineering constructions he keeps building in their garden (I think he's boared since retiring ) Hope the transplant goes well

It's one of my regrets that I never donated blood when I could — in the window between leaving the Witnesses and having gay sex.

TRiG.

So, I was wondering why the transplant didn't take place and Keith's now on dialysis. I found out today. His wife has melanoma.

Life is sometimes a great big bag of sh*t

I am so sorry GB. We'll keep them both in our prayers and you too!

Thank you Elektra.

I just had a op' on my prostrate glad 3 weeks ago, hopefully this Wed's I'll be able to "P" under me own power
BUT! with what health issues I've had in my life, I was brought up with - there's always someone worse off than you.
I can attest that..
My wishes are that the ultimate outcome is positive GB

butre:- MY ex - I never get my birthday prezzie or xmas prezzie off her = she's STILL breathing

I have news. Keith had a kidney transplant on Thursday. Unbeknown to me, our three children and his daughter by his second wife had all been tested for compatibility and Laura (40) was the closest match, although not a perfect match. She sailed through all the tests and was about to donate a kidney to her dad.

Then someone who had left wishes to be an organ donor died. They were a perfect match for Keith, so he got their kidney instead of my daughter having to go under the knife.

Can you imagine my relief, especially as I only found out all the details when it was all over.

Laura didn't tell me, or her son Liam (22) because she didn't want us to worry.

I'm now saying prayers of thanks to the donor who died, and their brave family. I don't know who they are, of course, but thank you anyway

As "they" say - blood is thicker than water.

And also loyalty and respect to MAM


And to the donor a

My appologies

Thank you Prof

I hope they can use bits and pieces of me when I don't need them any more but I'm afraid they can't.

My respects to Laura! Her kidney may not be perfect, but her heart certainly is!

I've actually left my body to medical science (Leeds university) I've had a laugh with it, so then can someone else

that's the

Laura popped round last night for a with Mum. Keith continues to progress, he's up and walking around but still in hospital. I know that the donor was 50 years old and was involved in a traffic accident. He was airlifted to Leeds but found to be brain-dead so his family were given time to say goodbye before the machine was switched off. The only organs which were of any use and could be harvested were his kidneys. Keith and a 42-year-old man were prepared to receive them. Unfortunately the other recipient was showing signs of rejection when Laura and Allan visited their dad on Friday.

Laura is very relieved that she didn't have to donate a kidney. Apparently she had thrown her weight around with her siblings. Mezz was the wrong blood group to begin with. Allan has a stressful job, a new baby and two little boys whom he co-parents to consider. Charlotte (Keith & Helen's daughter) is only 26 and wants a family sometime in the future. I can just imagine Laura bossing them all about, even though she is the shortest and slightest built, she's the toughest by a mile. Keith didn't want to take her kidney. She told him to "suck it up". I laughed when she told me that - her turn of phrase amuses me, she texted me recently "wait till you see my new hallway and stairs flooring, it's the dog's bollocks!" I had to reply, "is that good or bad?" as I'd never heard that expression before.