“It all started for me back in May 2015 when I had quite a serious heart attack. This resulted in a quintuple bypass operation, and it was noted at the time that the hardening of my arteries that caused the attack had also affected my kidneys.

After my recovery from the heart attack, it then followed several years of close monitoring of my kidney function which stayed relatively stable at around 50% of normal.  

This continued until early 2019, at which time it was noted that the kidney function had dropped to 35%. This meant I was referred to the Renal Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital who undertook several tests to try and understand why I had experienced such a drop in my kidney function. Because most of the blood tests were not particularly informative, it was decided that I required a kidney biopsy to ascertain what was going on.

The result of the biopsy was quite surprising, it revealed that in fact the kidney had developed the generic disorder Amyloidosis variant fibrinogen A. This was diagnosed in late 2019 and I was informed that as there is currently no cure for this condition it was likely that I would have to go onto dialysis and eventually require a kidney transplant.

Fast forward to October 2021 and the kidney function had dropped to 10% and I was beginning to feel the effects of my failing kidneys. Symptoms included swelling of my legs and ankles to the point it became quite painful and disruptive to sleep, severe itching on my back and legs and a complete loss of energy. This prompted the Renal Unit at Addenbrookes to refer me to the Low Clearance Clinic to prepare me for dialysis. 

Unfortunately, at the time I was being prepared for my dialysis treatment and it was discovered that I might have an issue with one of the grafts that I had during my heart bypass operation. This required an Angiogram to be performed to ensure that my heart could endure the strain of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) procedure that I had adopted for as my preferred means of dialysis treatment. 

I'm pleased to report that following the Angiogram I was given a clean bill of health and that there wasn't any reason that the peritoneal procedure couldn't be performed. 

In January 2022 I had the peritoneal procedure and four weeks later started my dialysis program. 

The Baxter machine was duly delivered:

along with copious amounts of dialysis fluid:

It took a couple of weeks for me and the machine to develop a working relationship, but with the fantastic support from the Low Clearance Clinic by late February we were getting on well with the nightly dialysis proceeding mainly incident free.

With my bloods looking significantly improved and the symptoms I'd experienced significantly reduced, I was informed in early March that I was now fit enough to be considered for the Kidney Transplant List. I subsequently had an interview with the Transplant Team and in late March was entered on to the waiting list.

I was told to keep my phone by myside at all times of the day and night as I could receive a call at any time to inform me they had received a suitable kidney.

On April 11th 2022 at 09.15 I dully received a call from the Transplant Unit at Addenbrookes. 

I arrived at the hospital at 10.45 and by 22.30 I was wheeled into the operating theatre, four hours later I was in the recovery room with an additional kidney.

(Photo taken at 6am following the operation)

My recovery since has been very positive, all the blood and creatinine levels are very good which has put me about two weeks in advance of where I should be at this stage of my recovery. 

In conclusion, it's been quite a journey with some highs and lows experienced along the way, although I have to say the support I've received from the Renal Team, the Low Clearance Clinic and the Transplant Team at Addenbrookes has been first class especially when you factor in the during this process, we've all had to cope with the pandemic.

From a personal point of view, I cannot tell you how my life has improved since the transplant, it's remarkable that so soon after the operation I feel this well. A true testament to all of the skilled health care professionals at Addenbrookes. 

My final comment in relation to my journey must be to thank the donors family as their loss has provided a new lease of life for me and I'll be forever be in their debt.

I have now signed up to the National Kidney Federation’s Best Foot forward Challenge which takes place in June. I'm very keen to get back my fitness levels and thought the idea of doing 60,000 steps during June would be an ideal way of motivating me to get out and about walking again.

It has certainly worked as I've already smashed the 60,000 step target before June, currently I'm on 109,646 steps month to date.

I've set myself the stretch target of 200,000 steps by the 31st May and I'm really enjoying the challenge!

In addition, I've raised £210 on my JustGiving page and I feel I'm helping the National Kidney Federation in a small way at least.”

Are you inspired by Keith and his story? If you would like to fundraise for the NKF please check out the events page or our Best Foot Forward Challenge page below:

Events: https://www.kidney.org.uk/Pages/Events/Category/event?Take=24

Best Foot Forward Challenge: https://www.kidney.org.uk/Event/best-foot-forward-2022