A Co Fermanagh woman has opened up on her experience of going through a liver transplant at the fifth time of asking as she encouraged people to become organ donors
Lisa McGandy from Enniskillen was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called PBC which had a significant impact on her liver, and she was told in 2014 she would need a transplant.
However, after four trips to London where she was ready to go ahead with the life-changing surgery, she was to be told by doctors that the liver provided was not a match for her.
READ MORE: Organ donation law is changing, have you had the chat?
After a year of missed chances she eventually found a suitable match for the procedure that helped save her life. Now 51, the nurse is enjoying having a second chance thanks to her transplant.
A major reform of organ donation legislation in Northern Ireland passed through the Assembly earlier this year. The new legislation will mean all adults become potential donors unless they specifically opt out.
“My doctor initially told me I had this condition but said it might never bother me. But unfortunately I wasn’t one of them people because I wasn’t responding to the medication used to protect my liver.
“The first time I had a major issue was when I was pregnant with my son. I almost went into liver failure because it put so much pressure on my body.
“In 2014 I was told that I would need a transplant because things weren’t going too well, so I was put on the list for one.
“On St Patrick’s Day in 2015 I had my first call, so I flew to London the next morning and got prepared for theatre. But then I was told there was a problem with the liver I was due to receive and we weren’t able to go ahead with it.
“This happened me four times. They would call you late at night to fly over in the morning to fly in at 6am to get ready for theatre at 10am. Then I was told at that stage that the liver wasn’t a match.
“One of the livers had hepatitis B, some of the others were too fatty and one was cancerous. Thankfully on the fifth occasion it was a good match and I lived to tell the tale.
“Each time you’re there you are sitting ready to go in and you’re told it’s not going to happen today. As you can imagine when you are that ill all those journeys are very stressful for myself and my family.
“Thankfully it did have a happy ending and I haven’t looked back since.”
Lisa encouraged people to consider becoming an organ donor as they could become crucial in people like her surviving. She added: “Please have the conversation with your loved ones, because none of us know when our time is up.
“It’s not just as easy as going on a list and getting a transplant. I know some people who have died while waiting on transplants, it doesn’t always work out well.
“There’s more and more young people needing transplants now. I’ve met children that have had liver transplants, one wee girl who has had three different transplants.
“It will make a huge difference and the amount of lives that can be saved through the opt out law will be significant. I just want to encourage everyone to have that conversation with their loved ones to let them know what your wishes are.”
Lisa paid special tribute to the person who provided their liver to keep her alive. While she never knew who the person was she did find out that she was a mum of a similar age.
“I wouldn’t be here today without that transplant . I’m a mother, a wife, a nurse. I still have a lot to give the world.
“I’m always thankful and I always pray for my donor. They don’t tell you a lot of information about the person but she was a 42-year-old mother.
“That did break my heart a wee bit but then one of the nurses said that I wouldn’t be here for my children only for her. So I’m always so thankful for that.”
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