MUM'S GIFTOFLIFE (From Barry And District News)

MUM'S GIFTOFLIFE

A BARRY mother has donated her own kidney to her sick son - in a bid to give him his'last hope' of life.

Sue Brown, 59, of Pendine Close, underwent an operation on Tuesday at the University Hospital of Wales - her kidney was immediately transplanted into son Wayne, in a procedure that she believes is the last chance to save his life.

Wayne Pole, 34, has suffered from major renal problems since he was aged just 19.

Before his latest operation, he had undergone two other kidney transplants. His body rejected one of the organs after just a day.

The other transplant was a relative success, and was effective for eight years.

Sue, 59, a former employee at Tesco on Port Road, said: "I tried to do this years ago, but doctors found a gene in me that wasn't compatible, so I couldn't go ahead.

"Wayne really didn't want me to do this, he was really worried - but he couldn't put me off.

"He's just met a new girlfriend who has two children and he has big plans for the future."

Sue said that one day, when her son was still a teenager, she and her husband received a call from Llandough Hospital to say that Wayne's organs had collapsed and he would not last the night.

"He was fit and healthy and had a job until then," she explained.

"But now there are few days when he isn't in hospital. He hasn't had a holiday since he was 19 because dialysis is difficult for him.

"But he's coped with it wonderfully. That's why I think he deserves a shot at life.

"He's a fantastic son and he has never said to me'Why me mum?' He's so brave and copes with it so well, even though he's had it hard."

Sue found out that she would be undergoing the transplant just before Christmas. Wayne had been admitted to hospital around a month before.

According to Sue, he didn't want another transplant - but she was determined to offer her organ as she knew this could be the key to his future.

Sue and Wayne were operated on simultaneously, and they will now remain in hospital for several weeks.

Initial reports suggested the operations were a success, and both Sue and Wayne were doing well as we went to print.