We blew our wedding

TO Y

Sitting on the sofa in October 2018, surrounded by my entire family, it was one of the happiest days of my life.

My three sisters had thrown me and my mum, Prevanda, 63, a surprise party for both of our birthdays.

It was a little early considering my 40th wasn’t for another two weeks in November and Mum’s wasn’t for another few days. But it was the only opportunity me and Mum had to celebrate.

You see, on 31 October 2018, on Mum’s actual birthday, we’d be heading to Hammersmith Hospital to undergo surgery.

I would be giving her my birthday present - a kidney. Mum had been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease in 2006, after suffering with tiredness and fatigue. As her health deteriorated, she grew short of breath and had to take things slow.

Only, as a mother of four and a grandmother to nine, she was completely resilient. ‘No, I’m fine,’ she’d say whenever one of us tried to help her. She was remarkable and she never gave up. Instead, she just took things slow and steady.

As the years went by, Mum had to go for regular blood tests at the hospital to check on her creatinine levels and general health.

If her kidney became impaired for any reason, the creatinine levels in her blood would rise, so it was crucial that it was checked thoroughly. ‘She may need a transplant, but for the moment we just need to keep an eye on her,’ the doctors told us to begin with. Over time, we all became accustomed to Mum’s health.

She never let it get her down, so we didn’t worry.

Her skin started to look a little dull and she would get out of breath, but she was as strong as ever before. Only, in 2017, at one of her regular blood tests, doctors noticed something alarming.

‘Your creatini levels are signifi higher than usu doctor told Mum ‘What does th asked, concerned.

‘She will need a transplant or risk spending the rest of her life on dialysis,’ he warned us.

Although we knew the risk was there, we never imagined the day would come.

‘And how long will that take?’ I asked, knowing that

people can be on waiting lists for years.

‘I will be honest with you, he chances of

eceiving a donor rom ethnic minorities are

lim,’ the doctor xplained. ‘Her best option is a

iving donation.’ As his words unk in, I knew what I had to do.

‘I’ll get tested to see if I’m a match,’ I jumped in.

‘No you will not,’ Mum fretted, but I’d already made up my mind.

‘There’s no harm in getting the tests done,’ I told her.

Mum was reluctant, but the doctor agreed that a living donation from a family member would give her the best chance.

So, I went home that night and discussed it with my husband, Mehul, 41.

‘I think it’s a great idea,’ he beamed with pride.

I knew Mum was hesitant at the idea.

Afterall, why would she want to accept a kidney from her own daughter?

As a mother of two boys myself, I could understand how she felt, but I wanted to do this.

It was the only way. Afterall, Mum was the best.

She’s always been family orientated and put everyone before herself. Now, it was my chance to give her something back.

So, that night, I phoned my three sisters and spoke it through with them.

‘If I don’t turn out to be a match, there is no pressure on you,’ I told them.

I wasn’t doing this to get one up on them– I was just doing it for Mum.And so, a few weeks When Dishna Hirani, found out her mum needed help, she was prepared to make any sacrifice... I knew I had to help my mum I wasn’t scared We could see the effects instantly

REAL LIFE

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

later, I underwent blood tests to see if I was a match. And low and behold, I was! By now, Mum was coming around to the idea, too. She knew how much I wanted to do it for her, and she knew it would change her life for the better. After coming back as a match, I had to undergo a CT scan and further tests to make sure that my kidneys were healthy and suitable enough for the transplant. Thankfully, everything came back perfectly healthy and I was deemed good to go. The final stage of testing was to check that Mum’s body could handle the operation. Although she desperately needed it, her body might not have been able to take it. Thankfully, she got the all clear for the operation. By the beginning of 2018, Mum’s kidneys had declined even further. She was constantly out of breath and was exhausted all of the time. Her creatinine levels had also risen further. So, the surgery was scheduled for 31 October 2018 –co 63r ‘I for,’ O maj littl her

‘W wor A the our T befo surp I tol boy 14 a Dhi ‘W be O aske ‘O cou will Our family rallied around

I’ll make Nanny better, too,’ I smiled.

And thenfinally, on Wednesday 31, me and Mum walked into Hammersmith Hospital. As my laparoscopic keyhole surgery would have to go first, I was scheduled o go down at 8am.

‘I’ll see you on the other ide,’ I smiled to Mum as I was wheeled away. I’d expected to be overcome with nerves and nticipation, but I was fine. In my heart, I knew I was oing the right thing.

So, I had no doubts or worries and I trusted that he surgery would go well. By 7.30 in the evening, I as rolled onto the High ependency Ward, where um was waiting for me. The implantation of my dney had gone smoothly, nd Mum was doing well. ‘How are you feeling?’ I ked the following day when e were more with it.

You’ve given me a new life,’ e smiled. For the next five days, we covered side-by-side. Just like after any major eration, it was a pretty ugh time, but I knew it uld be worth it in the end. Every day our family came isit the two of us at the pital, and almost instantly ryone could s improvement in ‘Her skin looks much brighter,’ Mehul said to me one afternoon. ll of o l failure, that I just didn’t notice what it was doing to me,’ she admitted to us all.

‘I feel so much better!’ It was amazing seeing Mum so happy and it made it all worth it.

Then, the following Monday, I was discharged, and Mum just a few days after me. We were both still in recovery and we needed the support of our family.

Thankfully, everyone was super understanding and helped us with anything that we needed.

I found walking particularly hard, but it eased over time.

Overall, I was only off work as a civil servant for four months as me and Mum recovered together.

As she was staying with my sister, we would ring each other every day and give mental support to one another. Mum is so much better now, and she’s got a new lease of life. She can keep up with her nine grandchildren without getting tired.

She’s a completely different woman and the smile on her face makes the tiny scars on my stomach worth it. I always like to treat my mum on her birthday, but I don’t think I’ll t her 63rd

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