Page 10 - link magazine

10 swindonlink.com • March 2010

Life after a kidney transplant
A Swindon woman is enjoying a new lease of life, one year after receiving a kidney transplant from her father – Swindon’s famous muralist
Ken White - writes Joy Aldred.
Laura Penn, 30, of Eastcott Hill, sor and do a lot of travelling an immediate change. “I felt
started suffering from a rare auto- so I just used to come home different as soon as I woke up.
immune disease which attacked her and go to bed. I couldn’t plan Before I had a very foggy brain,
kidneys when she was 21. For eight anything, even a night out. I then I just felt fantastic. I go to
years her health deteriorated as her had to wait and see how I felt a lot of gigs and I can actually
kidneys failed again and again. In on the day.” stand through the whole thing
2008 she was put on dialysis at When the hospital men- now – before I could manage
home four times a day, as well as tioned a living donor trans- about 10 minutes.
enduring endless trips to the renal plant both her mum, Janet, “I’m even thinking of going
unit at Oxford for consultations. and dad were tested, prompt- abroad on holiday. It used to
“I was in a bad way prior to di- ing something of a competi- be out of the question, not just
alysis - I was tired, had no appetite tion as both parents wanted because of how I felt. Just think-
and lost weight. I got a little better to be the one to help out their ing about what medical care
afterwards but was still poorly. I daughter. “Dad won, he was was available in each country
work as a youth volunteer advi- a perfect match but I felt hor- was too tiring to contemplate.
rible; I didn’t want him to have “The disease is in remission
Do You Deserve to go through that for me.” but everyday I’m reminded of
Ken, 66, said, “I had no
how grateful I am to dad – I
a Better Life? doubts, although we were both ter- the unknown. A lot of people have can feel his kidney in me, it’s like
rified before the op. , thinking about said they wouldn’t do it but they a lump. Mine wasn’t removed so
Andrew Hill would if it was their child. You’d they’ve added it round the front.
Hypnotherapist, Living with do anything for your own children. “People think that these trans-
Counsellor & The op went fine, and now I can see plants are a huge deal but it’s very
Life Coach osteoporosis how well Laura’s doing I know it straightforward, so anyone consid-
6,750+ sessions run Swindon Osteoporosis Support was worth it.” ering being a living donor should
Smoking, Habits & Compulsions, Group holds its next meeting on After the operation, Laura recalls absolutely do it.”
Fears & Phobias, Anxiety, Panic, Friday 12 March, 1.30pm to 3.30pm,
Depression, Tinnitus, IBS, Sleep, when Renata Sharp will speak on
Eating difficulties, Weight, Osteopathy and Osteoporosis at Oxygen treatment on offer
Motivation & Direction, Trauma,
Confidence, Relationships etc. the Health Hydro, Milton Road, Swindon MS Therapy Centre has settled into its new premises in
VISIT: www.ahassociates.org Swindon. Westlea and is now reaching out to people with a variety of different
Call me in Confidence For details of the group and future conditions and injuries for whom their therapies could be beneficial.
meetings call 721882 or mail: swin-
01793 873451
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Toasting the new oxygen tank. The first ever ‘divers,’ from left, Debbie Pearson,
Deirdre Knee, Jackie Wray, Bal Sandhu, Brian Danby, Sue Higgs, Debbie Walton
“The extra capacity at Bradbury therapy at the centre automatically
House means that we can now becomes a member and will be
offer oxygen therapy treatments asked to make a charitable donation
to people with a wide range of for their treatment.
LASER TATTOO REMOVAL (blue/black ink only) conditions,” said centre manager “We are constantly fundraising
Jackie Wray. “Apart from multiple- to keep the centre running, particu-
IPL TREATMENTS FOR SKIN AND HAIR sclerosis, we offer sessions in the larly as costs are much higher with
oxygen tank for sufferers of cerebral the larger building,” said Jackie.
FACIAL FILLERS palsy, autism, brain injury, strokes The centre also offers a range of
and Parkinson’s Disease.” holistic therapies including reiki,
WRINKLE RELAXING INJECTIONS “Oxygen is also very useful for Indian head massage and aroma-
sports injuries, and can accelerate therapy, as well as physiotherapy
TREATMENTS TO REDUCE SWEATING the healing process. In 2008 speed- and Pilates.
way rider Billy Legge broke a finger For details call Jackie on 481700 or
Call Dr Alison Brooks for a free consultation at the and was going to be out action for mail: [email protected]
Shalbourne Suite, Great Western Hospital, Swindon MIRABEL six weeks. After receiving oxygen www.msswindon.org.uk
under pressure he was back on his What would you do in an emer-
01672 841029 www.mirabelclinic.com bike after three weeks.” gency? See page 15 for a free
Anyone wishing to receive course

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