You don’t have to be an athlete to get a real buzz out of attending the Transplant Games as medal winner Lauren has discovered. Thank you for sharing your story, Lauren
I was diagnosed with polycystic liver disease back in 2014 when I was 31 years old and had just moved to the UK from Canada. Over the next few years, my symptoms increased as the disease progressed. My stomach became very distended as my liver was growing and pushing against my other organs. I wasn’t able to eat a full meal, couldn’t breathe properly, my legs were swelling, I was suffering from muscle wastage and was often in pain. It was miserable.
As my condition deteriorated, I was told that I should consider a liver transplant and I was lucky enough to receive my transplant at the Royal Free Hospital in December 2021, two years after I was listed, just before Covid hit. The transformation is amazing. Like many transplant recipients, the beginning was a bit rough and there were some ‘blips’ during recovery but I’m feeling really well now and am so thankful for all the NHS rock stars who took care of me at my most vulnerable. It’s little things you notice afterward, like being able to bend over and tie my shoe without losing my breath or feeling strong enough to join friends for a hike. I’m still very conscious of how lucky I am to have my life back and what an amazing gift organ donation is.
I’m doing the 3K walk and the Donor Walk at the 2024 Transplant Games and I’d encourage anyone in my situation to go for it – it’s a fantastic experience!
I work in communications for a financial institution and I was fortunate that my manager and colleagues were incredibly supportive both pre- and post-transplant. I was also lucky to have a job where I could work from home so that I could easily shield during the pandemic and avoid a busy, long commute on the tube.
It was my friend Alison who told me about the Transplant Games. We connected through both having the same liver disease. She told me how fun the Transplant Games were and that everyone was really supportive and just a lovely community. I used to Irish dance but I’m not terribly sporty but thought I’d give it a go.
Last year (2023) was my first Transplant Games and I had a ball. It’s a really special feeling being surrounded by people who all have this shared experience. We all have this deep understanding of what everyone has gone through that you just can’t get outside our little transplant community. Even the most supportive friends and family can never truly understand what we experience, both physically and mentally, as a transplant patient. This year (2024) I won a Silver Medal in the Women’s 3K Race Walking and also completed the Donor Walk. I’d encourage anyone in my situation to go for it – it’s a fantastic experience!
