Kate Shaw

Kate Shaw is 24 years old and currently waiting for a kidney transplant. She’s desperate for her life to be transformed, not just for her, but for her baby girl Maisy.

My name is Kate and I will be 25 this year.  I have type-1 diabetes which means I am insulin dependent and have to do regular injections.  I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 9 years old after I’d lost quite a lot of weight and my mum took me to our GP.  Looking back I also had the other usual symptoms such as always needing a wee and constantly thirsty, which was my mum often thought was me delaying bedtimes!! Luckily I was diagnosed early without being in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - which is where your blood sugar levels are so high it can cause serious health problems - and avoided a hospital admission.  My mum and I learnt about my new diet and insulin regime and my diabetes was reasonably well controlled. This is how it continued until I was about 21.

At the beginning of 2008 I was admitted to hospital in DKA.  This was only my second hospital admission since being diagnosed, the first being totally my own fault, as a teenager not being compliant! This admission was different, I was being compliant, yet I was still very unwell.  It was during this admission I was diagnosed with kidney disease, secondary to my diabetes.  We all remained hopeful though as I was told it could be controlled and with the help of my doctors could prevent it developing further.  This was not the case though as I continued to be admitted in DKA, and my diabetes wasn’t under control. I was always having hypos (where my blood sugars dropped too low) no matter what I did; my insulin was changed, but with no effect.  I felt unwell all of the time and I was eventually told I was in acute renal failure, and that I needed to begin dialysis to do the job of my failing kidneys.

Discussions began about being assessed for transplant. When the idea of having a transplant was first raised I was quite upset for a while as the realisation hit me that no one could wave a magic wand and make it all go away and without a transplant I’d never be free of dialysis.  Although upset I eventually came round to the idea.  Everything moved very quickly, but in total in took about 4/5months to be placed on the list which eventually happened in the summer of 2009. I began to think positively and think about all the things I wanted to do and how much better I’d feel.  During this time I continued to have dialysis in hospital 3 times a week, occasionally being admitted due to infection and needing antibiotics.  I was just playing the waiting game; I even got a second phone so I’m not constantly on edge when my phone rings!

However at the beginning of 2010 I found out I was pregnant.  This was not planned, and also not really advised as it meant I was no longer on the active waiting list for transplant.  However, I was supported by my team with my decision and continued with my pregnancy.  Maisy was born on the 16th June 2010 at 24weeks, she fought hard and on the 26th January this year we bought her home. I love being a Mum and the day we bought her home was the happiest day of my life, however I do feel guilty for the time I spend away from her whilst I go into hospital. 

In the meantime, after many more tests I was placed back on the list for a new kidney, and began the wait all over again, this time having an extra person to worry about with all the ‘what ifs’.  On the 2nd November 2010 I had my first call, but unfortunately it was a false alarm as the kidney was not suitable. I continue to wait, hoping for the day I will be told it’s my time, but also extremely grateful, even to the person who gave me my false alarm because they’ve made the decision to help other people to continue their lives after they had passed away.

Having a transplant would mean the world to me, I’m not sure it is possible to put into words.  I would be able to be the best mum possible to Maisy without being too tired, or having to be in hospital away from her.  It would change my life and mean I could lead a normal one.