Mother's amazing gift of life for son Nathan

When the 70-year-old heard her son needed a kidney transplant, she did not hesitate to come to his rescue.

Now she will give him the gift of life by donating one of her own kidneys later this month.

Son Nathan, who has been receiving dialysis for kidney failure three times a week for the last year, today described his mother as amazing.

The 45-year-old from Brownhills attends Samuel Johnson Community Hospital in Lichfield for five hours at a time.

It was in 2005 that his kidneys began to fail after he picked up a disease that went undiagnosed.

He said: "I was diagnosed in March last year with end-stage renal failure and I have been on dialysis for almost 12 months.

"Kidneys can fail for a number of reasons after picking up infections, as the result of a cold and from using antibiotics.

"I go to hospital to have my blood cleaned three times a week and although it isn't painful, it is very time consuming and draining."

When doctors told him he needed a transplant, his brother Daniel, partner Jo and two friends all came forward to see if they were a match.

"They came with me to a consultation at QE Hospital in Birmingham where they were told about the risks involved and despite that they all had blood and tissue tests," said Nathan.

But doctors found none of the four was suitable. It was then that his mother decided to be tested and found she was a match.

Nathan said: "Doctors have been monitoring her health constantly because she is 70 years old and she must have had every single one of her organs tested to make sure they are in good working order and that she is physically fit before surgery.

"I am slightly nervous about the operation because it is quite major surgery for both of us but at the same time I am very excited because my quality of life will improve greatly.

"As it stands, I can't go swimming with my son or play football or even go on bike rides and I can't go on holiday with Jo like we used to so I am looking forward to getting back to normal again."

The father of three of Lichfield Road will receive the transplant from his mother on February 17. After the operation he will remain in hospital for 11 days while his mother will be discharged after four.

He added: "My mum is amazing. She is very active in the community and is a member of Christ Church in Burntwood as well as a member of the WI.

"Everybody already looked up to her but now she has heroine status.

"It is fantastic what she is doing for me, it is like she has given me a million pounds, I feel so happy and I am eternally grateful.

"She says that she would do anything for her children and if I was ever in her position I would do exactly the same for mine.

"You don't realise how important your family is until something like this happens.

"I haven't been able to work since my diagnosis, everything just stopped there and then.

"My whole life has been put on hold but I couldn't have got through it without my family. My mum and dad and Jo have been so supportive and so have my brother and my friends.

"I remember when I was diagnosed, I rang Jo who was in the middle of an exam as she was studying to become a solicitor, and she rushed to be at my side without a moment's hesitation.

"I can't wait until I am on the mend so that life can go back to normal." Mrs Black said she didn't hesitate to put herself forward after her son's diagnosis. She added: "I asked whether there was an age limit for donors because I knew a woman in her 50s who had donated an organ to her daughter.

"The nurse said there wasn't but that Nathan might not want a 70-year-old kidney.

"I said that if nobody else was a match or if anybody dropped out then I would step in.

"I have got a few nerves but I always say that I gave birth to Nathan so I have to give him life.

"Everyone has said how proud they are of me, but I am just doing what any mother would do for her child and keeping my fingers crossed."