Esme Chester is a young girl who went in for a blood test because she had a cough. The parents ended up with some devastating news. The little girl had been diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. Her mother and father were in total shock!
The three-year-old was a bright young girl and despite undergoing dialysis, she maintained a positive attitude. Since her kidney failure was at end-stage, it was the worst that it could get and she spent 14 months on dialysis, 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Both of her parents were desperate for solutions so they tested for a donation.
They were both matches
“We were both tested and although Rachel was a match, I was a better match. I said yes immediately,” Lee said.
Excitement quickly turned into worry. The little girl suffered a stroke and went into intensive care for six weeks. This delayed the surgery. She had to learn to eat and walk again and she spent her third birthday in the renewal ward of the hospital.
She finally recovered and the surgery was performed successfully. Both daughter and father are recovering well.
“We are both doing really well. I’m so glad it’s gone well for Esme. She’s eating mashed potato in bed. I’m quite sore so I’ll have to milk it at home for a bit,” he added. “It really does show the importance of opting in for organ donation. It really does save lives.”
Esme’s story and positive attitude throughout her illness has been an inspiration to her family, hospital staff, and many others.
“She’s so strong-willed, that’s part of what’s she been through,” Lee spoke of his daughter. “She knows her own mind, she’s very funny, caring and she says she loves us all the time. But she also has a strength from all this.”
Lee has no regrets about giving up his kidney for his daughter. “This is something that any parent would do, you just say yes, it’s in the terms,” he said.
Via: Inspire More
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