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A GIFT OF LIFE
The photo above shows Andy and his wife Sandra.
In 2001 their lives changed in a way that up
untl then, they could only dream
and pray for.
Andy Dunne was born with (what is still) a rare condition known as PRUNE BELLY SYNDROME. One of the many effects from this is that the Bladder loses its ability to function properly. This causes urine to travel back up to the Kidneys. This is known as Kidney Re-flux. The first few years of Andy's life saw him undergo no less than thirteen major surgeries. At age four his then Urologist, Prof. Denis O'Sullivan decided that the only way to save Andy's life would be to replace his bladder with a urostomy. This is an external pouch that acts as a type of artificial bladder. Even at this stage, Andy's kidneys were extremely damaged and his future was uncertain.
In the years following, Kidney infections became a regular occurrence and his kidneys became more damaged. At age 28 (1996) Andy was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure and was put on a Renal Diet. The aim of this was to take pressure away from the kidneys by controlling the amount of toxins the body was taking in. This worked for a few years but Dialysis was inevitable. Doctors recommendd hemodialysis. Explained in detail here.
This was Andys life line for just under three years but during this time he developed various complications such as vein damage (Thrombosis) and eventually "septicemia". A Kidney Transplant would now be Andy's only change of survival.
Through all of this, the only thing keeping Andy's spirits going was his wife Sandra. She was there twenty-four-seven making sure he stuck to the diet and took his meds etc. Every ache and pain was felt as much by Sandra as it was by Andy. She was a constant friend as well as companion.
Having been on the Transplant Pool for only seven weeks Andy & Sandra got the phone call they really didn't ever think they'd recieve. Beaumont Hospital in Dublin was where Andy was Transplanted and within a few weeks was back home. It's now over eight years on and their life since Andy's transplant has been unbelievable.
ANDY - " Not a day goes by that Sandra and myself don't think about the gift of a second chance at life that I have recieved. We are always aware that someone had to die in order for me to stay alive. Although we will never know any details about them or their family, we are forever truely greatful".
