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OCTOBER 2015 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Loyal devotion of transplant patient Megan Kirby was given just six months to live before she underwent a liver transplant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in December 1994, at the age of 61. Since then, almost every week for the past 20 years she and her husband John – as patient and carer – have spoken to other patients undergoing assessment for liver transplant at the hospital QEHB about their experience of liver transplant, of recovery and of getting on with, and enjoying, life afterwards. Now aged 82, Megan has been advised to stand down from this role. Here Megan tells her story in her own words, in the hope that it will offer hope to patients awaiting a liver transplant and encourage people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
“How long is a piece of string?” This was the answer I received when I asked how long my new liver would last. In 1994 I was given six months to live. My only hope was to have a liver transplant. Now, in 2015 my ‘piece of string’ is 21 years long. Before my transplant I asked my husband, John, for his thoughts – should I have a transplant or not? – and he told me he felt there was no other choice, I was too young to die. It is not easy getting physically fit after a liver transplant, but it is well worth doing. Just eight weeks after my transplant a realised I was leading a normal life; going shopping, visiting the library, using public transport, generally doing all the things I wanted to do. I had my gift of a donor liver in December 1994 and in March of 1995 I had a three week holiday in Germany to visit my daughter; a trip I would never have been able to make without the transplant. Five months after my transplant I went back to work, starting a new job at the Benefit Agency in Five Ways, where I worked until I retired at the age of 65. Since my transplant John and I have enjoyed numerous holidays to places such as Iceland and Israel as well as several Mediterranean cruises, and of course to Germany to visit my daughter, her husband and our two grandchildren. Unfortunately the travelling had to stop when I developed osteo-arthritis, but I am left with many wonderful memories – and I’m still able to see my daughter too as she has now moved back to the UK. I give thanks each day for the gift of life and for the courage shown by my donor family who made that crucial decision to consent for organ donation. But just being grateful did not seem enough – I wanted to give something back. Not long after my transplant Professor Neuberger (he was Dr Neuberger then) asked me if I would volunteer to talk to patients who were being assessed for transplant. He knew that, whilst the doctors and nurses knew lots about transplantation, they themselves had not actually had one; patients would benefit greatly from hearing the experience of an actual transplant recipient. The support group had only just been started at that time and as well as talking to patients I helped to get other transplant recipients involved and up until around two years ago I managed the rota for who was going to come in and talk each week. Before we could meet the patients we had to
BHBN Schedule BHBN Hospital Radio broadcasts patient requests, music, news, live sport and a range of speciality programmes to NHS hospitals across Birmingham. The station, founded in 1952, is based in new studios in the Heritage Building (Queen Elizabeth Hospital), they are on air 24 hours a day. They can also be heard via their website www.bhbn.net and the TuneInRadio app. Monday 12noon -1pm The Light Lunch 3pm–4pm Elevator Zone – Bubba the Loungehound 5pm–7pm Good Vibrations – Donna Joseph 7pm–8pm
Megan and husband John (front) with (L–R) Mr Thamera Perera (Consultant Transplant Surgeon), Samantha Howell (Liver Transplant Specialist Nurse), Joke Lawal (Liver Transplant Specialist Nurse) and Pete Ashcroft (Liver Transplant Coordinator)
Before my transplant I asked my husband, John, for his thoughts and he told me he felt there was no other choice, I was too young to die.
the importance of having a positive attitude; Two, that the patient understands how stressful the experience is for their loved ones; Three, after a transplant they might expect to have a few ‘family discussions’, shall we say? The relationship between the patient and their carer will change. They are not ill anymore and this change can be difficult at first for both parties to make the adjustment..
How to become a donor There is no age limit to signing the NHS Organ Donor Register. For more information visit the website: www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. Remember to let your friends and family know when you have signed The Organ Donor Register and join the conversation online by using the campaign hash tag #organdonor. To join the NHS Organ Donor Register Call: 0300 123 23 23 Text SAVE to 62323
8pm–10pm Tuesday 12noon -1pm The Light Lunch 3pm–4p m Elevator Zone – Bubba the Loungehound Womens Hospital Requests 6pm–7pm – Jen Hukins 7pm–8pm Easy Listening – Kelly Howell 8pm–10pm The Evening Show – Paul Millington Wednesday 12noon -1pm The Light Lunch 3pm–4pm Elevator Zone – Bubba the Loungehound Words and Music 6pm–7pm – Brian Henderson 7pm–8pm Hospital Requests – Danny de Reybekill 8pm–10pm The Evening Show – David Elliott Thursday 12noon-1pm The Light Lunch 3pm–4pm Elevator Zone – Bubba the 5pm–7pm The Tea Time Show – Ben Hospital Requests 7pm–8pm 8pm–10pm The Evening Show – Chris Friday 12noon-1pm The Light Lunch 3pm–4pm Elevator Zone – Bubba the Loungehound 6pm–8pm Pick and Mix – Brendan Delaney 8pm–10pm The Evening Show – Bill Waldron CBSO Concerts when broadcast are on Friday at 7:30pm
Megan Kirby, dedicated volunteer speak to a trained counsellor so that we could learn the best way to put the information across. It was important that we were seen as a good example of what a transplant could achieve, whilst at the same time helping patients to understand the downs as well as the ups. If I had to pick the three most important things that I feel a person who is going to have a liver transplant should know it would be: One,
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Requests – Arali McGrath The Evening Show – Dale Hobson
Saturday 7am–9am 9am–11am 11am–1pm 1pm–2pm
Weekend Breakfast – Dave Horton BHBN Gold – Colin Monnaf The Frock Show – Sarah Morris Queen Elizabeth Hospital Requests – Anita Shah 2pm–6pm Military Ward – Michelle Woodhouse (Alternate Weeks) BHBN Sport–Live Commentary from a local Ground Lively Discussion & Reports SPONSORED BY CHILTERN RAILWAY MAINLIN 6pm–7pm Saturday Disco – Marky B Saturday Alternative – Olya Jeneson 9pm–10pm BHBN Reggae Selection Sunday 8am–10am Laid Back Sunday – Bill Waldron 10am–12 Kitch & Kool – Brendan Delaney Noon 12 Noon–1pm Music from Around the World – Yasmin Tariq 1pm–2pm Hospital Requests – Shaz Hill 2pm–5pm The Sunday Bash – Graham Allen 5pm–6pm The BHBN Asian Mi – Raveeta Banger 6pm–8pm The Evening Show – Doug Jackson Music from Stage & Screen 8pm–9pm 9pm–10pm BHBN Country (provided by UK Country Radio Bob McCready) 10pm–11pm BHBN Classical Collection – Roger Cunningham All other times – Listen to the bhbn music selection Available around the wards and online via links on www. bhbn.net
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