Mum donates kidney to her son after a 'heartbreaking' three-year journey

Described as a "fit and healthy lad" who enjoyed playing rugby, Shane Sparrow, from Billinge, started to suffer with headaches in late 2018 and was diagnosed with IGA after a series of health check ups.

IGA, also known as Berger's disease, is a disease where antibodies build up in your kidneys and affects their ability to filter waste from your blood.

Attacking the kidneys natural mechanisms, over time the disease can result in kidney failure.

After a series of blood tests were inconclusive, Shane was booked for an emergency stay at Whiston Hospital in April 2019, which found that his kidneys were only functioning at 24% of their total capacity.

Shane and his family

Shane was then diagnosed with IGA at Liverpool Royal Hospital and the following years have been "an emotional, heartbreaking journey" for the family, with Shane undergoing five operations, as well as multiple scans, tests and treatments.

At one point, his kidneys were only functioning at an alarming 3% of their full capacity.

Shane's mum Karen said: "Shane and his fiancé Michaela had just spent 18 months doing their first home up. They were planning to get married in Mexico and start a family."

"Shane is 31 but he's still my baby, and it's really hard seeing him go through all that pain day in, day out.

"He's got a very laid back attitude and never complains. He does all his treatment at home and is adamant he can take control of this, but he has missed out on so much with his son and fiancé due to his operations."

Nevertheless, while the past few years have been particularly tough for the Sparrow family, Michaela gave birth to a baby boy on New Year's Day 2020, who is said to be "the little star that has been keeping us all going".

And the Sparrow's were given further good news last year as they found out that Karen and her son's kidneys were a 100% match; which gives Shane the best chance to survive the disease.

It has been a "emotional, heartbreaking" journey for Shane and his family after his diagnosis

The pandemic delayed their operations, but on Monday, December 13, the mother and son had their kidney transplants at Liverpool Royal Hospital.

While the five-and-a-half hour operation was successful, Karen explained that it was "more complex than first thought" and one of the arteries from her kidney is showing some blood flow issues.

Karen is now back home and recovering well, but Shane is still in hospital as doctors keep tabs on the kidney and his high blood pressure.

Karen said: "There's always a bit of doubt with transplants and Shane will have to live with medication for the rest of his life, but if it is successful he could live a relatively normal life.

"It's been heartbreaking over the last three years and now it doesn't seem to be going how it should be, but there's not much more we can do."

As Shane remains at the Royal Hospital, his family are "hoping and praying" that the blood flow issue will be resolved and he will be home in time for Christmas.

If not, the next steps are to adjust his immunosuppressant medicine which lowers the body's ability to reject the transplanted organ, and after that, further biopsies, tests and consultations to try and figure out the best steps for him moving forward.

Although the operation has not been as successful as hoped, Karen said her son has remained mentally strong throughout his battle, as he has continued to work for an IT firm and be there for his fiancé and son.

His mum added: "He's been absolutely amazing and we're so proud of him. It's been three years now but we just hope that next year is his year."