The gift of life

A father was given a second chance of a normal life with a kidney transplant on the same day that his first child was born.

Car salesman Mr Lee Hyland (35) of Kirton Close, Balderton, underwent his life-changing transplant at Nottingham City Hospital.

His partner, Kate Ward (31) was at the hospital hotel. Midway through his operation her waters broke and she went to the maternity unit.

Mr Hyland came round to be told she was in labour. Their son, Harvey, weighed in at a healthy 6lb 2oz.

“It was perfect timing,” said Mr Hyland. “There can’t be many people who are given a second chance on the same day that their baby’s life begins.”

Mr Hyland’s kidneys were damaged after he contracted tonsillitis when he was 18, which led to IgA nephropathy, commonly known as Berger’s Disease.

Doctors have since monitored his condition.

In December, 2007 his kidneys had deteriorated so much he was on dialysis three times a week at the City Hospital. Each session took 41/2 hours.

Mr Hyland said he got into a routine, visiting the hospital after work and returning home at midnight, but it was tiring and he was delighted to be told that he would be placed on the transplant list.

The call to say a match had been found came out of the blue on Monday of last week.

He went to hospital with Kate Ward, his partner of five years. She was three days past the due date of their first child.

Mr Hyland was taken to theatre at 11pm after checks revealed the donor kidney was a perfect match.

“As he was taken down in the theatre lift I kissed him goodbye and promised him that I would not go into labour,” Kate said.

Two hours later, as Mr Hyland was mid-way through his operation, Kate’s waters broke.

“We had joked during the pregnancy about this situation but did not think it would happen,” she said.

Harvey was born at 5pm. Mr Hyland was shown a photograph of his son but had to wait until the next day, when mother and baby were discharged, to see him.

The family were properly reunited on Sunday when Mr Hyland was discharged.

Mr Hyland will make regular hospital visits and convalesce for about three months, but the new kidney will enable him to live a normal life.

He will be able to eat what he wants and he will have the energy to play with his baby son.

He said the transplant had brought mixed emotions.

“I was sad that someone has died and that somebody is grieving for that person but I am very grateful to receive the kidney and be given a chance,” he said.

The couple say they would like everyone to carry a donor card.

Kate said: “We would like to help others get a second chance like Lee now has but perhaps not in such dramatic circumstances.”