A woman who desperately needed a transplant had her life saved after her friend gave her a kidney.
Lois Denham, from Paisley, was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease when she was just eight. The hereditary disorder causes cysts to develop on the kidneys reducing their function.
During a check-up in 2020, Lois was informed she had kidney failure and her function was down to just 10 per cent. Medics told the 50-year-old that they would monitor her monthly but said she would eventually need a transplant.
Just one year later, Lois' life was "saved" after friend, Josh Hall made the decision to help by donating one of his kidneys. The pair became pals eight years ago at the Love Church in Glasgow after Lois became food friends with Josh's wife.
The pair underwent the lifesaving transplant surgery on January 17 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, and both are now recovering well at home. Lois said: "Josh saved my life and I can't put into words what it is he's done for me.
"Nothing I could ever do in the rest of my life could repay him enough. I know that it is and will continue to be the best gift I've ever received.
"Life has completely changed. What he did for me, and my family was quite simply amazing."
Lois, who works in customer service, was placed on the transplant list in July 2021 after having to lose weight first. However, Josh stepped in and called her husband Craig, a pastor at the church, to say he wanted to donate one of his kidneys.
Lois said: "I had to lose some weight to get on the transplant list which I did and became active on it from July 2021. But Josh had called my husband and said I just can't shake this feeling that I could do something to help.
"Craig told him he really needed to go away and think about it seriously. A few days later he was back on the phone saying he just wanted to do something.
"It felt incredible, he was giving me the gift of life. By December 2022 my kidney function had gradually dropped to three per cent.
"I was experiencing severe sickness, it didn't matter what I ate. I had terrible fatigue and brain fog to the point where I was going to bed at 6.30pm.
"It's only now I am better I really understand how bad it was."
Josh started the process of being assessed as a living donor and in December 2022 was officially approved for the transplant.
Josh, from Clydebank, said: "I couldn't shake the desire to see if I would be a match and as it turned out, I was. As a Christian, I totally believe that we look for 'miracles' or the supernatural but there is nothing more miraculous than love.
"It was a no-brainer for me. Even the doctors said, 'it's almost like you were supposed to give one away'.
"Our relationship was always close but going through something like this together naturally adds a new level. It has been such a joy and an absolute privilege to make a difference not just in Lois' life but also her family."
Lois added: "I have a new lease on life because of Josh's sacrificial giving, and life has already changed. The toxins in my blood were over 1,000 and a normal level is below 120 I now am about 70-80 which is remarkable.
"I'm sharp in my thinking, no longer have fatigue or sickness. There is a journey of recovery to go but I'm doing really well.
"We will forever have a bond."
The pair commended the living donor team and surgical team at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital who were 'superb'.
Lois added: "We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. We are both so grateful and the care we both have and continue to receive is nothing other than phenomenal."
To find out more about the living donor donation process visit - https://www.organdonation.scot/living-donation/living-kidney-donation-process
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
