Colin Deaner - My transplant or two

This is the story of Colin's two kidney transplants.

For some time now, my life has been extended as a result of kidney transplantation, in fact two kidney transplants.

As a result of receiving the benefit of these transplants, I feel that I have been able to extend my life and to return the benefit of my experiences and knowledge for the betterment of other people. As a former civil engineer, with training in management and computers, I have been able to continue a useful role in society.

The past 20 years has seen me take on the role of president of the Wagga Wagga Jaycees, Diabetes Australia Wagga, Diabetes Australia Shoalhaven, Illawarra Dialysis and Transplant Association, as well as a major contributor to the establishment of the Shoalhaven Dialysis Unit. The Shoalhaven Dialysis Unit at Nowra saw public awareness of the need for the unit and input into the planning as unit User Advocates and when tenders were considered, I sat on the tender board, which recommended the builder to the IAHS board. The total fundraising for this project was in excess of $500,000. This was raised in one year.

My medical background history includes diabetes from the age of 14 and I am now 53 years old, the fifth of eight children. As a result of long-term diabetes, my kidneys failed and I went into end-stage renal failure in July 1983.

I commenced haemodialysis on 15th July 1983 at Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney and went on to do home training with my wife Nola. We completed about six weeks training, then returned to Wagga where we dialysed at home until a call came early in the morning of 23rd August 1984, to say that a kidney transplant was available. We then flew to Sydney and arrived at Prince Henry around 10.00 am. The renal team then went into action doing their workout for the transplant whilst I had a few hours of haemodialysis. I also had my first dose of Cyclosporin A. The operation took place that night led by vascular surgeon, Dr John Frawley.

Following successful transplantation I was placed in the transplant isolation ward for monitoring of my recovery. There were a number of adverse results to the transplant, which included pneumonia, a mucor micosa (fungal infection) to the right arm and a stay in hospital of about 3 ½ months. My arm was amputated in April 1985.

This implant worked perfectly for approximately 12 months before going into what is called chronic rejection. This chronic rejection was a slow process that ended in my recommencing haemodialysis in March 1988. I regard this as giving me the benefit of transplantation for three and half years for this first transplant.

Six weeks after recommencing haemodialysis, my initial implant was removed surgically. I had only a short period on haemodialysis before I received my second call from the renal team at Prince Henry Hospital to say that a kidney was available on 23rd June 1988. The work out for this transplantation included cross matching bloods and a few hours of dialysis prior to the surgery, which was carried out by Dr John Frawley.

I was monitored in hospital for 14 days following the transplant surgery, the only adverse result was that I had a heart attack brought on, I think, by a fluid overload some three days after the transplant.

This transplant worked very well for about two years and stayed within the normal range for creatinine (a measure of kidney function). This implant then continued in chronic rejection until March 1996 when I recommenced dialysis once again.

So, as you can see, I have had the benefit of two kidney transplants which greatly enhanced my life for 11 years of the past 16 .

I no longer fit the criteria for safe transplantation and will remain a dialysis patient.

Post Note: Sadly Colin has since past away and is missed by his wife, family and many friends of Transplant Australia.