transplant week 2011

Nikila Erskine

Meet Nikila, she is currently waiting for a liver transplant.

At 25 years old, I've led a lucky life, I have awesome friends, an amazing family and fourteen years ago I had a liver transplant and a second chance of life.   I spent the next thirteen years ticking off my to-do list, when out of my way to prove my illness wasn't going impact my life and adopted a happy-go-lucky view of the world.  Every year I celebrate my "second" birthday (my transplant anniversary) and always take time out to remember the kindness another family showed fourteen years ago in allowing me the gift of life.  

At the time of my first transplant, the doctors weren't sure what was causing all the problems, but I was then diagnosed with "auto-immune hepatitis".  I went down-hill very quickly and so was already in hospital when the call came to say there was a liver.  The recovery was halted by a minor complication which meant I had to be in hospital for more surgery at Christmas (probably the only year I didn't open my presents pre-8am!).  Within six months I was back in school and living life as a normal 11 year old girl and I am so lucky that until now my new liver has been very healthy.

Now in 2011, I find myself on the waiting list for a new liver, as my original illness has returned and is attacking my liver. I've been told I can expect a 6 month wait...roughly.  If my condition deteriorates then I will move higher up the list, but equally there are people who have been waiting many months.  Over the waiting time, I will begin to feel more effects of my liver failure and hence if I do receive a liver, my recovery will take longer.  I have been told 1/5 of people don't make it to the end of the list as the shortage of willing donors is so vast.  Recently, my dad had to sit and listen to what way I wanted my funeral and my will, something no parent wants to discuss with their child.

And so if I can ask two things....

If you wish to donate or already are a donor, please sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and discuss your decision with your next of kin.  A difficult conversation no-one wants to think about I appreciate, but imperative.

If you are considering organ donation, list all the questions you have or points that stop you wanting to donate and discuss with someone with transplant experience. I also would ask you after you have made this list, if all the points would still be relevant if the person needing the organ was your sibling, parent, child or one of your friends? 

The gift of life- there is no bigger gift you can give, to a loved one or a stranger, you will forever be a hero.

And for those of you wondering, will I be granting myself a "third" birthday for a new potential liver, of course, yes, and I will continue to celebrate the 14 years I had with my second liver too!!

What are you waiting for, sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register today.