'Stay positive': Limerick man celebrates 10 years after kidney donation from his uncle

Brian Sheehy’s two-and-a-half years spent on dialysis three times a week feels like a far cry from now, as he celebrates his 10-year anniversary with his kidney donation, healthy as ever

Mike Sheehy (left) and his nephew Brian Sheehy are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Mike giving Brian a kidney donation. Photo: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Brian Sheehy had to overcome a lot of obstacles in his younger years, not least the sudden death of his brother and also being told he himself had a 4% chance of finding a desperately-needed kidney donor match.

But now the 36-year-old is celebrating the tenth anniversary of receiving a kidney donation from his uncle. The Athea, Co Limerick native experienced difficulties with his kidney function since birth, after he was diagnosed with posterior urethral valve syndrome.

The rare birth defect causes an obstruction in the urethra valves. This left Brian with one kidney completely damaged and needing removal, and only 50% function in the other.

In August 2005, the family had to deal with tragedy when Brian’s older brother Patrick tragically lost his life in a serious road traffic collision in Kerry. The family made the decision to donate 18-year-old Patrick’s organs, saving six people's lives in the process.

Around this time, Brian’s kidney began to fail, forcing him to undergo dialysis sessions to maintain his health. However, after two short weeks, he received a call for his first kidney transplant from a deceased donor, marking a whirlwind of emotions for the family.

“I hit the ground running with that one,” Brian said.

Mike Sheehy (left) and his nephew Brian Sheehy Father-of-three Mike says it was a “no-brainer” decision to put himself forward for testing to discover if his kidney would be a suitable match for Brian. Photo: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Brian and his wife Sarah welcomed their daughter Kayla in May of 2010, before Brian’s kidney function began to deteriorate rapidly again.

“Things started to go downhill in October or November 2010. My bloods were all over the place,” he added.

Despite concerted efforts from his medical team to save the kidney, Brian started on dialysis treatment again, where he remained for two-and-a-half years while awaiting a suitable kidney transplant.

With slim chances of finding a suitable match due to his elevated level of antibodies, several close family members put themselves forward for testing to see if they would be eligible for donation. One of these included Brian’s uncle Mike, who turned out to be the closest match.

“After a first kidney transplant you develop these things called antibodies and any bad spells you go through or any infections you pick up raises the number of antibodies in your system. It’s based off a percentage, I think mine at the time were like 96%. So that kind of means that 96% of the general population won't be a match. So there's only really 4%,” Brian said.

Father-of-three Mike Sheehy from Listowel, Co Kerry, says it was a “no-brainer” decision to put himself forward for testing to discover if his kidney would be a suitable match.

“I felt like there was no history as such in the family before this, either on our family's side or on my wife’s side of the family so I said ‘look, we’ll chance it and see how far it goes and if it does work, great and if doesn’t, look that’s it’,” he said.

Brian Sheehy: 'If people are considering it or thinking about it just get in touch with the Irish Kidney Association, they’ll put you in contact with someone who has been in that situation.' Photo: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

Following months of rigid testing and evaluations, the pair were geared up to complete the organ donation in Beaumont Hospital.

However, on Monday morning, doctors discovered issues with Brian’s antibodies and after a bout of plasmapheresis, a medical procedure to remove plasma from the blood, decided the operation should not go ahead.

“They came in and said that they wouldn't be going ahead with it. Obviously, that was brutal to hear,” Brian said.

Remaining hopeful about the situation, the medical team assured Brian they would continue with monthly blood tests in the hope the antibody would go away on its own, allowing the organ donation to take place. This is exactly what happened and on August 7, 2014, following careful monitoring and further tests, Brian successfully received a kidney donation from his uncle. 

The pair made a swift recovery following the operation, with Mike returning home four days later, while Brian spent a week in Beaumont to ensure the kidney was running smoothly.

Since receiving the kidney, Brian says he has “gone from strength to strength”, allowing him to return to playing sport and secure a job with Limerick County Council, while also securing a house and celebrating his wedding two years ago.

Following the surgery, Mike had “no problem” bouncing back to full health, returning to marathon training shortly after, completing a marathon in Connemara the following April.

Mike Sheehy (left) and his nephew Brian Sheehy. Following careful monitoring and further tests, Brian successfully received a kidney donation from his uncle in 2014. Photo: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

“They kind of told me beforehand because I was training, if I could keep training away like I would be for a marathon that it would be easier to recover afterwards,” he said.

Brian describes the years following his second kidney transplant as being given “a new lease of life”.

“Your life really is put on hold while waiting for a transplant — it's nearly like your boss like — ‘can I go here can I go there?' Even simple things like booking a foreign holiday, you need to go somewhere that’s close to a dialysis centre.” 

Brian’s advice for those currently awaiting an organ donation is simple: “Stay positive”. 

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“I'd always be googling kidney transplant breakthroughs, and they've made so many advances now with modern medicine,” he said. “Even dialysis will get easier."

A decade on from their successful donation, both men are passionate about spreading awareness about organ donation, encouraging those to begin by speaking about their wishes with their family members.

“If everyone starts and has the chat at home. Even tell your family what you would like to happen under unforeseen circumstances,” Mike said.

“But also, the live donation, like myself and Brian, if people are considering it or thinking about it just get in touch with the Irish Kidney Association, they’ll put you in contact with someone who has been in that situation,” he added.

Mike Sheehy (right) and his nephew Brian Sheehy. Since receiving Mike's kidney, Brian says he has “gone from strength to strength'. Photo: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

To ensure both individual’s kidney function is running smoothly, Brian has a check-up every three months, while Mike has a yearly check-up to ensure his lone kidney function is up to standard.

Neither of them have ever looked back, and Brian’s two-and-a-half years spent on dialysis three times a week feels like a far cry from now, as he celebrates his 10-year anniversary with his kidney donation, healthy as ever.

“Don’t get me wrong, it is bad, and I never want to do it again. But my mother always says that there's always someone worse off than you,” Brian said.

If interested in getting a organ donor card, you can order one here.