My husband Jamie, had been suffering from severe headaches for a couple of years and back in March 2016 (whilst on top of a roof!), he called me to say that he'd lost his sight in one eye. We immediately organised an eye test which resulted in him being rushed to Hereford A&E for several tests. That same day, we were told that he may have a brain tumour...and so the devastating roller coaster began! 

After many tests, we were eventually told that Jamie had IGA neuropathy. His headaches and loss of vision were a direct result of extremely high blood pressure. (The doctors have never been able to confirm if the blood pressure caused the kidney disease or if the kidney disease caused the high blood pressure). 

His kidney function deteriorated quite rapidly and when it finally reached single figures he had no other option than to start his dialysis. To watch my best friend lose all his strength and become restricted in his every day tasks was heart breaking but throughout it all he stayed strong and never complained about the pain and never dwelled on the possibility that the disease would get the better of him and prematurely take him away from myself and our 2 beautiful children. 

Jamie was eventually at the point of being placed on the organ donation waiting list and we were told that dialysis could lend us a possible 5 years whilst we waited for a new kidney. As you can imagine, this was an extremely scary time, one that we'd never expected to experience and one that we weren't going to give up on, so myself, Jamie's eldest sister Nicola and his younger brother all decided to get tested to donate one of our own kidneys. 

After lots of tests and consultations, it was decided that Nicola was the one who could give Jamie the best chance of life and on the 15th August 2017, she bravely underwent the operation to give her kidney to him.

As a family, Jamie, myself and our 2 children will never be able to thank Nicola enough for what she has done. Her selfless and loving gesture has saved Jamie's life.

As a wife and mother, you try to stay strong and keep the wheels in motion. You put on a brave face and try to keep things normal but inside you are crumbling. This whole experience has reiterated my belief that you should never take anything for granted and that you should live life to the fullest! So on New Year's day, when Jamie challenged me to sign up for the Cardiff 10k, I didn't hesitate and despite never running before, I embraced the challenge. 

I can happily say that 8 months on, not only have I lost 2 stone in weight, I now run between 20-25k each week and the positive effect it has had on my mental well-being is extraordinary. It also feels extremely satisfying to know that my fundraising efforts will help other families in Wales who are sadly going through the same experience. 

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