Part 7: Now and the future.
The last year has been a mixed bag of ups and downs, including being kept at Birmingham with suspected rejection of the organs (thankfully not). Like all other transplant recipients Kian is now on anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life. He still has seizures which nobody can explain (again, not much research in these kinds of areas in children) and lots of other issues carried over from his pre-transplant days but we are winning the war!
Over the last few months, Kian has made huge leaps and is now a happy little 4 year old doing all the things that 4 year olds should be doing. All this is only possible thanks to the person who gave him his liver and kidney. We wrote to the deceased donor’s partner to thank him and show him just what that person has done for us and Kian – I hope he understood. That single donor saved Kian and another adult who received the other half of the liver (they can split a liver in half so it can be used for two recipients).
Hopefully you now understand why it is that we are asking you to sign up to the register. Even if things go well, Kian will almost certainly need another kidney transplant at some point in the future as transplanted kidneys do not last the life of the new recipient (yet another research area why this should be so and what can be done about it).
No large procedure is perfect, but transplantation has improved massively in terms of the success and survival rates over the last few decades, and maintaining that trend takes real effort. There is so much scope for improvement, and that’s where you come in. Please do something to help right now – do not put it off! Thank you for reading Kian’s story.
23 April 2010, 12:11 pm
I knew nothing about Kian until a wee email from his Dad arrived in my mailbox this week yet Kian and my son Aaron have both had a combined organ transplant(Aaron had a combined liver & small bowel transplant) at Birmingham Childrens there’s a fair chance we’ve passed each other on the liver unit!
What a life journey Kian has gone through and it’s just wonderful to see him now looking so well and climing on his new climbing frame for his birthday way ta go wee man!
Aaron’s donor needed to be a child which was really tough,I am in touch with his “donor Mum” her little boy was only 10 when he died tragically,his gifts of life saved 3 other children lives a wonderful positive legacy out of such tragedy.
I know you know transplants save lives but they are not a cure and many kids need a 2nd transplant..we need more registered organ donors and Philip this is a wonderful way to encourage people to do just that. Aaron is 13yrs old 10yrs post transplant & doing really well,I truly hope Kian does just as well,our kids are a credit to those who gifted them life
brightest blessings
Cat x
27 April 2010, 10:46 am
What a lovely story, thankyou for sharing it with us. You have all had a difficult journey especially for Kian and it shows that transplants do work.Your son is a credit to you both and the donor family and my heart goes out to you all. My daughter Jade had a heart transplant 14 years ago at Great Ormand Street Hospital and without her donor she wouldn’t be here today. I really hope that this site helps and we wish you the luck in the world.
Sue xx
05 May 2010, 9:20 pm
you have no idea how this has affected us, going through all the things has reminded us of how summer my grandaughter has also suffered. it has also given us so much more hope. as time is runing out for summer. i commend what you are doing with this site, raising awarness is so important geting things out to the public. kian is a very brave little boy and you are courageous parents i only hope we will be as strong thank you so much tina xxx
04 September 2010, 4:12 am
thanks for the story. it amazing to see, how a donation of a organ can help someone’s life. im presenting a organ donation speech to my class and im going to use Kian’s story as an example
05 September 2010, 7:02 pm
That’s fantastic that you are helping to spread the word and awareness about organ donation – one of the main problems is just just getting people aware of the issue, especially in children.
Please do let us know how you get on with the presentation and what questions you get from the class!
Philip