A kidney and a life in common

By REBECCA WALSH

Auckland couple Margaret and Dennis Bishop share more than a life in common - they each have one of Margaret's kidneys.

In August 1998, just days after their 47th wedding anniversary, Margaret donated one of her healthy kidneys to her ailing husband, granting him a new lease of life.

"I was overwhelmed," says Mr Bishop, now 73.

"There's not much more you can say. The affection, the love for each other ... 47 years is a long time. I was deeply touched."

Mr Bishop started experiencing kidney problems almost 30 years ago. He was put on medication, but six years ago dialysis became necessary.

After two years of hospital visits and dialysis at home, Mrs Bishop suggested they find a donor. Told the waiting lists were extremely long, she volunteered herself.

"I had made my mind up. I have a pragmatic outlook on life ... The dialysis business was a real drag. Anything seemed to be preferable to that."

Mrs Bishop, who is now 70, says that at first there were questions about whether they were too old - the cut-off age is usually about 60 - but they pulled through the tests.

Neither would have been happy for one of their three grown children to donate a kidney.

"I would have been against it. You have to take time out. I wasn't working and they were. They have family commitments. It's not plain sailing," Mrs Bishopsays.

Since the transplant, there have been ups and downs. It took some time for Mr Bishop's body to accept his wife's kidney, but it is working well now.

Asked to advise other families in the same situation, Mrs Bishop believes people must be practical.

"I think people have got to be realistic and realise there are pros and cons. The net result of having a better person healthwise makes it all worthwhile."

Mr Bishop says that if a kidney patient has someone willing to donate, "Go for it."