In May 2010 I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy which is one of the many types of kidney disease. It came like a bolt out of the blue, I knew nothing about kidney disease. I had no symptoms or anything. They found out my kidneys weren't working properly because I had undergone pre op tests and my createnine was high.

After a visit to the Nephrologist (I didnt even know what one was, cool title though) and a biopsy to determine which kidney disease i had, he told me I would probably need a kidney transplant in about 10 years time as there is a slow progression to end stage renal failure with this disease. Unfortunatly I have a rapid progressive type. Despite my fantastic Nephrologist ( Dr Stephen Kardasz) efforts at slowing the progress down the disease progressed and I started dialysis via a neckline in July 2011.

We had planned a pre emptive transplant (tranplanted before needing dialysis) but I had gotten so ill that I needed to start dialysis sooner.

I could hardly make it upstairs some days and very rarely left the house. Dialysis helped but i was still very ill.

The process to find a kidney donor was a roller coaster in itself but I could see the light at the end of the tunnel when my cousin Peter Hughes came forward, was tested and was a match. He is my hero and i received his gift of life on 11th April 2012.

Within hours my skin was clearer and my eyes were whiter, my husband told me I looked 10yrs younger when he saw me. Within days I felt amazing. It was totally life changing as well as life saving surgery.

I am now able to participate in life again, not just be a spectator. I want to give something back to help other with Kidney disease. Thats why im going to jump out of a perfectly good plane, with a parachute, because I cant think of a better way to celebrate life ...

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