exclusive By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 00:56, Friday, 18 July 2008

During 45 years of marriage Brian and Barbara Lewis have always had a special bond but now it is stronger than ever.

Brian and Barbara Lewis

This is because 70-year-old Brian has given up one of his kidneys so Barbara can have the ultimate gift – a fresh start in life.

Barbara, 68, of Brampton, was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary nearly two years ago with kidney failure and spent days in intensive care.

Doctors later told her she would need regular dialysis to keep her alive, unless a suitable donor could be found.

She was put on the national waiting list but, with more 50 people in Cumbria alone waiting for the same operation, Barbara knew her chances were slim.

In the meantime she had to put her life on hold for fear of missing a vital dialysis session or picking up an infection.

That was until husband Brian discovered that, although not a blood relative and a completely different blood type, there was still a chance he could be a suitable donor.

He went for tests which confirmed that, although not a perfect match, it was enough.

He didn’t have to think twice about whether to go through with it, desperate to give Barbara back the quality of life she deserved.

The couple, who ran a hotel at Ambleside before retiring and moving to Brampton, had their operations on April 2 at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Brian, a retired teacher, had keyhole surgery to remove his kidney and was out within three days. Barbara’s operation was more complicated – she spent several weeks in hospital and will always need to take anti-rejection drugs.

But, three months on, she is much fitter and is taking every opportunity to embrace the new life she’s been given.

She said: “I feel very privileged, very special. I feel like I have started a new life. I even look at things differently. You really appreciate everything.

“We would urge everybody to join the organ donor register having seen for ourselves what a difference it can make.”

A big milestone for the couple, who have three grown-up daughters and five grandchildren, was being able to go on holiday again.

For the past 18 months they have been tied to the county due to Barbara’s dialysis, but last week they were able to spend a few days in Essex visiting friends.

They are now planning some other trips, including a holiday in France and something special for their Sapphire Wedding Anniversary in August.

The couple, who have chosen to tell their story to coincide with National Transplant Week, have come a long way since Barbara was rushed into hospital in desperate need of dialysis two years ago.They say it was their strong bond as a couple, Christian faith and prayers from friends, which helped them through the tough times.They also thanked the staff at the Cumberland Infirmary’s renal unit for their support over the past few years.

Wendy Ashton, a renal social worker at the hospital, said Brian and Barbara are living proof that you are never too old to become a donor. She said: “A lot of people are under the impression that you hit 60 and that’s it but really age isn’t relevant, it’s health. These two are a shining example of that.”

Consultant nephrologist Dr Mark Boxall said that due to advances in science, donors no longer had to be a perfect match and did not even need to be in the same blood group. He said: “Ten years ago you would have had a lot less chance but the medication has improved so much that it’s not as important to be an exact match. It has really widened the net.”

Baby Theo Davies – the Keswick tot who desperately needs a new heart to live – celebrated his first birthday in hospital yesterday.

For parents, Ryan Davies and Rebecca Giles, the day was another miracle in the short life of their much-loved son, who was born with a defect which means only one half of his heart grows.

One in 5,000 babies suffers from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, but little Theo has been one of the worst affected.

Theo was put on a life support system last week when his circulation started to fail, but when the machine was switched off this week, he surprised doctors by staging a fight back.

His special day was marked at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital with balloons, banners, cards and cakes.

Rebecca, 23, said: “I could not imagine life without Theo. I am so happy he is going to see his first birthday.”The family has had messages of support from all over the world in their appeal for a heart for Theo and for more people to donate organs.

For more information about becoming an organ donor visit the stand in the hospital atrium this week, call 0845 6060400 or visit www.uktransplant.org.uk. The national donor bus will also be visiting Carlisle on July 29, when it will be at the monument in Scotch Street between 10am and 3pm.

First published at 05:36, Friday, 11 July 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk