The South African athletes at the World Transplant Games. The even helps transplant recipients meet others who have gone through similar experiences
If you come face to face with death, you look at life differently.
Since childhood I suffered from a chronic liver disease. They treated me in those years as a jaundice patient. I grew up knowing that I had to be very careful about what I ate, because I was always inclined to be nauseous.
Everyone thought that I’d outgrown my problem in my late teens, but unfortunately it all came back in my early twenties, with each of my three pregnancies. As I grew older, my symptoms became more severe and serious. At the age of 49 I felt as though my life had come to an end. I was put on a waiting list, hoping to be helped in time. I was constantly tired and nauseous, with a swollen stomach and an itchy, canary yellow skin.
After many weeks of minimal health, zero energy and in the end-stage of chronic liver failure, I miraculously received a phone call informing me about a potential donor.
A donor organ must always be a 100% compatible fit, with the exact blood group and size. Everything worked in my favour; I was admitted into theatre and 10 hours later, I received my gift of life: a complete liver transplant on the July 4 2005.
Miracle
My ruined health was transformed through the unselfish decision of an unknown teenage donor, who unfortunately died in a car accident.
My utmost praise goes to the donor’s family for respecting her wish to donate her organs. Thank you is too small a phrase to express a recipient’s sincere gratitude. I will be forever grateful to my medical team, my husband for his unconditional love and support, and for my children and family.
Quality of life
This year will be the 11th extra, borrowed miracle year of living a normal, grateful life.
Today, at the age of 60, I not only have quality of life, but the positive outlook that one must never give up hope and appreciate every day as though it is your last. I never thought I could participate in sport again, but thanks to my new transplanted liver I can.
I started swimming again not only to celebrate my new life, but also to create awareness about organ donation and speak out about the desperate need for donors.
There are currently over 4 300 very sick patients waiting for a suitable organ, and certainly not all sick patients get the organs they require in time.
Post-Transplant Accolades
I have qualified every second year through the South African Transplant Sports Association’s (Satsa) Nationals in swimming events since 2008, and have been privileged to participate in two World Transplant Games (WTG) so far.
The WTG is a wonderful opportunity to meet and make new friends from all over the world who have experienced similar situations, and to be inspired by their miracle and success stories.
In 2011 the WTG was held in Gothenburg, Sweden where I was incredibly blessed to win three silver medals for South Africa.
In 2013 the WTG was held in Durban where I received three silver medals and one gold medal for South Africa. I also set a new world record in the 50m backstroke.
The purpose of participation
Organ recipients participate in Satsa and the WTG to create awareness of the benefits of organ donation and organ transplants through sport.
We pay tribute to organ donors throughout the world and we celebrate the success stories of organ recipients.
Participating gives organ recipients another opportunity to celebrate and demonstrate their new, improved lives.
Goals to strive for
I hope to be an active member of Satsa for as long as I can;; to have optimum health to participate in the next WTG; to inspire more people to become organ donors and to give hope to those chronically ill patients still waiting for an organ.
Being an organ recipient made me realise that everyone can make a difference by becoming an organ donor. To think that only one donor can actually save seven lives — your heart, liver, pancreas, two lungs and two kidneys. If one is prepared to receive an organ, one should be prepared to donate.
What better way is there to leave this world and to leave a legacy of being a life-saver and hero in someone else’s life? There is a saying that goes: “You don’t need to take your organs to heaven; heaven knows we need them here.”
Every breath remains a gift from God.
Written by Tersia Smit
Love your kidneys: Get screened if you are at risk
Screening for kidney disease can be done at a local health clinic or GP
A good start would be:
- Measuring your height and weight, blood pressure
- Checking your blood glucose
- Doing an HIV test
- Doing a dipstick test of your urine
- Taking a sample of blood for creatinine