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“I WAS IN total shock when I was told I was in renal failure,” said Leitrim woman Annetha Kieran Loughran from Drumsna.
A teacher in St. Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan, she underwent a kidney transplant in November 2014 after 6 years receiving dialysis treatment.
“I was carrying on with my normal life, I had never really been sick a day in my life. I went to America on holidays and when I returned I had swollen ankles and was later diagnosed with purpura.”
She was ill on and off for some time, but the doctors could not provide a diagnosis. Blood work would later show she was in renal failure.
Renal failure
When in hospital she was told she had Anti-GBM, a rare autoimmune disorder. “Most people get diagnosed with it post-mortem, so I was lucky in one way. I was rushed to Beaumont Hospital to assess the damage and I was told I was in total renal failure.”
She spent a lot of time in intensive care and high dependency units in Letterkenny, Sligo and Beaumont.
“When I was initially told about the seriousness of the situation – that I needed to go on the transplant list – I couldn’t really believe it. The doctor was speaking to me and my husband, but I remember I had to ask so many questions afterwards, as I wasn’t sure if I was listening,” she explained.
“I had to get dialysis three times a week. It was very difficult. Your whole life is disrupted. It’s not just you though, it is difficult for your loved ones too. In the first few days of me being ill, he thought he was going to lose me. It was very frightening from his point of view.”
Annetha said she tried to make the most of life while she was ill. “I kept saying to myself, ‘at least I’m alive,” she said.
“My job was my saving grace, which I carried on with. I was determined not to get into ‘invalid mode’.”
No match
Despite screening, there was no kidney match in her family, so it was simply a matter of waiting for a donor. “There was quite a few complications over the years, so I was on and off the list at some points.
“For the times I was on the list, I didn’t sit around waiting for the phone to ring – that would drive you crazy. I just put it to the back of my mind and hoped my day would come.”
She said she never believed in karma until she helped raised money for the Irish Kidney Association. After handing in the money she said to herself that she hoped the world would pay her back somehow. Not long after she got a call to say there was a match.
“It was the last thing I expected,” she said.
She added that she couldn’t thank the staff at the hospitals that cared for her saying they went above and beyond for her. ” I could never thank them enough.”
“Someone had to die so I could get this kidney. Everyday I pray for that family and that special person, and I will for the rest of my life.”
“It really is the most special gift. The gift of life. It’s wonderful to have my life back. I lost it there for six years, but now I never look back.”
Organ Donor Awareness Week takes place from 28 March – 4 April. The Irish Kidney Association is promoting the week and urging people to have a family discussion around the subject of organ donation. You can offer your support for organ donation through donor cards, smartphone app, driver’s licence (code 115) and Freetext numbers. You can text “kidney” to 50300 and €2 will be donated from your mobile phone account to the IKA.
Throughout the week, IKA volunteers will be distributing organ donor cards and selling forger-me-not flower emblems (the symbol of transplantation) in cities, towns and villages throughout the country.
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The sickness the day after 18 pints would worse I think!
Just keep going so, you only have a hang over when you are sober.
At last an alternative medicine I can believe in
Might just give it a shot purely for scientific research of course.
Guinness is good for you.
BS!
have to admit, I have had pints before to stop a runny nose. it’s does work but no need for 18!
I feel a cold coming on
You certainly wouldn’t notice a cold after 18 pints.
Seeing that it’s hops based, could I justify 6 pints of IPA? Probably not :-(
no wondet I never have a cold :-)
Challenge accepted.
People don’t need to ‘fight off colds’ ,that’s simply an illusion . The idea of sickness only starts in the mind, If you think you are going to get the sick, you will get. You drink beer to get pisseyed.
Have to agree with you on principal. The human body is amazing with the right attitude.
Wait, so you’re saying that if I think a virus exists, then it will just spontaneously exist? I’m going to think really hard about a 50 euro note in front of me right now. Thinking… thinking… thinking… Damn, no 50 euro.
You will need more than 50? for 18 pints
Sure…
Research ‘Placebo Effect’ .
True Knowledge, is power.
I think you are the one who needs to research the placebo effect because you obviously don’t understand the term.
You know it all Barry. Ha ha!
People who research Placebo effect will be simply amazed at the findings associated with its effects on the human body & health.
Placebo effect is real… but let me know if anyone takes a placebo for cancer or AIDS and is cured please.
18? I’ll never get there anyway.
Maddest binge was somewhere around the 14 area. Even if I could remember what was going on at the end of that session, I don’t think I’d want to.
lightweight
Craft beers where its at, wouldnt drink the mass produced pish by u know who in Ireland anymore.
I think I’ve a cold coming on and its Friday. kill two birds with one stone. Gonna have to pay ?1.80 extra though, damm budget
No wonder alcohol still does so much damage when you have such articles
Kevin, cheer up.
I’m happy as ever Damien I don’t drink. However many people I know do and the culture around drink in Ireland is having them pissed every week. Some had been in A&E before, some went to clinics to rid their addiction. It’s sad seen this happen to our nation. All the time you have people commenting on this saying Guiness is good for you?
So you really think alcohol does so much damage because of articles like this?
Being a miserable sod is not good for you either Kevin
No Damien but it fuels the culture and its a culture in decline thank god. Dave I said last comment I’m happy, I’m not asking how you feel to be honest I don’t care. I am concerned about the amount people in Ireland are drinking. I’m only 18 but seen enough devastating incidents in this area whether its a Gaf, pub or night out
Anyway I didn’t actually mean cheer up. It was just a polite way of saying cop on and don’t be so dry.
Why didn’t you say cop on then and stop been so dry? Besides what kind of argument stance is cop on?
I’m trying to make a point on the damaging drink culture this nation has and I’m getting told to cop on?
Guessing the guy who didn want to go church years ago was probly told to “cop on” and look where religion is now. There’s stacks more pleasures in life than getting pissed and until this nation realises that well always have a drinking problem.
Look at the social stigma about Ireland across the world, “drunkin leprechauns” is what most countries think about us. I know I’m not a drunken leprechaun and never will be, what a waste of life.
Kevin, there is no argument.
I think the article is taking the medical advice with a bucket of salt, Kevin.
I think you should read my comments first before commenting yourselves
That’s amazing. I’m currently down with pneumonia in my left lung, has to be one of the worst experiences I’ve had on the illness front yet. It’s kinda funny that the doctor told me to stay away from alcohol as it weakens your immune system. I must give him a ring and tell him that the brewery says its OK and send the mother around the corner to fine wines to pick me up a 6 pack.
I have it at the moment and have been off the beer for weeks!! should have read this first :P
DRINK FEIC GIRLS..what doesn’t kill us will cure us…!
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