How 'the greatest phone call ever' changed my life

A transplant patient has described the moment he was found a new kidney, as he marks the 10th anniversary of a landmark law in Wales. James Arnott reports

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DIALYSIS patient Stewart Cleaver will never forget the life-changing moment he received "the greatest phone call ever".

At the time, the 39-year-old, from Neath, was in poor health because of polycystic kidney disease and undergoing gruelling dialysis treatment three times a week while on the transplant list.

Then came the phone call, on November 19, 2012, that proved truly life changing - he was to receive a kidney transplant.

Recalling his quality of life before the transplant, Stewart said: "When I first went to hospital for dialysis they put a needle in my vein, set the machine and walked off, leaving me there for two hours.

"I said, 'I'm not doing this ever again.' The doctor told me I had two choices; either have dialysis or I was going to die.

"Alongside it you get these other illnesses because the kidneys don't function properly.

"I had a lot of illnesses, I was at risk of a heart attack and having medication to prevent this, and was in and out of hospital prior to the transplant. I was unwell."

Stewart is sharing his story now to help mark the 10th anniversary of The Human Transplantation Act (Wales), known as deemed consent, which means you will be treated as if you have no objection to your organs being used to help another person in the event of your death - although doctors would not do so against the wishes of your immediate family.

Stewart also hopes he can encourage people to consider organ donation, and to make their wishes known now to their family and loved ones to avoid painful decisions should the situation ever arise.

"The five months I had dialysis was the worst time," he added. "I was leaving work to go to the hospital and would have treatment until 9pm and then get home for tea. That was every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for five months. It was a bit of a chore."

Then came the call, out of the blue.