Peter and Hugh Gormley relaxing at home after their operations Picture: Ronan McGrade
AN Irvinestown man who received the “greatest ever gift” from his son has said he is eternally grateful to his children for helping him in his time of need.
Hugh Gormley from Irvinestown was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease eight years ago. Facing a lifetime of dialysis, his children came together unbeknownst to him and took the decision for one of them to donate a kidney to their father so he could live a healthy, happy life again.
“At the time I was diagnosed I had around 25 per cent kidney function and went downhill slowly after that,” Hugh told the Fermanagh Herald. By the time he had his transplant in August past, Hugh’s kidneys were only functioning at 13 per cent, prompting fears from his doctors that he would have to go on dialysis.
“The doctors were concerned so they began making preparations for me to go on dialysis,” the 67-year-old recalled. “If you need dialysis you generally have to get it three or four times a week, and you don’t feel well the following day, so you have very little quality of life while on it.
“The doctors had asked me if there was anyone I knew who would donate a kidney. I didn’t push it on my children, but one day there was a meeting in Omagh and they asked us to bring along our family.
My daughter and my youngest son came with me and my wife. My eldest son was in Dublin but he was anxious that he was involved also.”
Hugh said following the meeting his three children, Niall, Natalie and Peter, came together without him knowing and took the decision that one of them would donate a kidney to their father. In the end it was decided 34-year-old Peter to be the one to go under the knife.
“All three of them offered to give me a kidney, they knew the seriousness of what I was facing,” said Hugh. “After it was decided Peter was to do it the doctors gave him a fairly decent MOT, with lots of tests to see if he was suitable, and they were more than happy with him. They were even pleased with the size of his kidneys!”
Hugh and Peter were both admitted to the Renal Unit of Belfast City Hospital on August 25, with the surgery taking place the following day, August 26. Peter was first on the operating table in the morning, followed by Hugh in the afternoon.
“I got to see Peter before I went in,” he said. “He was out and I didn’t get to talk to him much or anything, it was just a thumbs up then into surgery. But he seemed like he was OK, so that made me happier. My wife was in a real tizzy, it was a long day’s wait for her.”
Both men have recovered well from the operation. With the transplant taking place on the Wednesday, Peter was discharged on Saturday and Hugh on Sunday.
“Peter was sore when he got out, he wouldn’t have been doing too many sit ups, but he was not terribly ill or anything,” said Hugh, who himself needed numerous follow-up appointments in the weeks and months that followed.
The Irvinestown man said he had “full faith” in his “very positive” medical team, adding the nurses and consultants went above and beyond in their duties while looked after him.
“The level of care at the City Hospital was excellent, I can’t fault them in any way, even down to the meals. I was very well looked after,” he said, adding that just weeks after his operation the same team performed five transplants in 24 hours.
Hugh, who said he had much more energy since the operation, explained how the team had allayed his fears and worries about the transplant, and strongly urged any others in a similar situation to consider having a kidney transplant or donating to a loved one who needed one. He also encouraged people to register as an organ donor in the event of anything happening to them.
“I would certainly advocate and encourage being an organ donor,” he said. “If someone is unfortunate enough to be involved in an car accident or something, then donating should be considered. Where’s the point in burying good organs?”
Speaking about his family and his son’s selflessness, Hugh said Peter, who became a father for the first time on October 20 making Hugh a grandfather for the second time, had given him “the greatest ever gift.”
“I’m eternally grateful to my children for what they did. It was such a shock and surprise when I heard they’d come together to make the decision. It was certainly emotional, particularly on the day of surgery itself.”
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