Mum's gift of life to sick son

8:30am Thursday 22nd May 2008

A DEVOTED mum who lost her eldest son to a medical blunder has saved the life of her youngest.

Lillian Williams, aged 50, was still mourning the loss of Michael Stocks when six months ago she was devastated to learn her other son Christian Ramsden's kidneys had failed.

But now she has given 25-year-old Christian hope for the future - by donating one of her organs.

Both mother and son have returned home to Horwich from the Manchester Royal Infirmary and the operation has been hailed a success.

Mrs Williams said: "I would do anything for my children and after having one taken away from me so young I was determined to do all I could to save the other."

Mr Stocks, aged 20, of Sycamore Walk, Horwich, died in 1996 after doctors at the Royal Bolton Hospital mistakenly gave him an extra dose of the heroin substitute methadone.

His brother, a plant hire manager, has a seven-year-old son named Michael in his memory, as well as a step-daughter, Paige, aged nine.

Mr Ramsden, of Gooch Street, Horwich, began experiencing kidney problems when he was a pupil at Rivington and Blackrod High School.

He was finally diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, a disorder that occurs when a protein needed to help fight infection settles in the kidneys, in 2005.

It was during a routine check-up in December last year that Mr Ramsden was given the devastating news that his kidneys had failed and he would have to start dialysis.

In January he had surgery to insert a line to enable him to have dialysis at home, but this meant he had to be in bed by 10pm every night for his treatment.

His diet became restricted, with bananas, chips and bread banned. Mr Ramsden, a self-confessed "junk food addict", was forced to give up the foods he loved.

He said: "It was really difficult. I struggled with the diet and being a really sociable person it was awful having to be in bed so early."

Immediately both his mum and partner, Natalie Bonner, offered to be organ donors and, following tests, Mrs Williams, who works as a supervisor at the Beehive pub in Horwich, proved to be a match.

She said: "It was absolutely awful for Christian, as his life had been taken over by the dialysis and I wanted him to be happy."

Months of examinations took place before doctors were sure the operation could be a success.

Finally, on May 13, mother and son underwent the kidney swap at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Both are now back at home and doing well.

Mr Ramsden said: "I was so grateful to my mum when she said she would be a donor. I was completely overwhelmed, it's just so amazing of her. She's just been the best thing in the world. Not many people would have made a sacrifice like that.

"My diet is still restricted but only because I want to do everything properly and take really good care of this kidney. I'm just so pleased I have had the transplant and can't wait to get my life back. I can't thank my mum enough."

Angela Kelly: The column you love to read