SWNS via SWNS
A woman who donated her kidney to her husband says he “saved her life too” after medics discovered she had a heart condition during the procedure.
Elaine Geekie, 45, put herself forward to see if she was a match for her husband Mike, 63, when his kidney failed due to type two diabetes.
House inspector Mike, from Aberdeen, became tired and unable to move around due to his failing kidney and needed a transplant in order to survive.
She was a match and the couple went ahead with the surgery in July 2020.
SWNS via SWNSHowever, Elaine nearly lost her own life after a heart problem was discovered during the procedure at Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
Fortunately she survived and was told her kidney she had donated was very healthy.
The transplant has been life-changing for Mike – who can now go on walks with his dogs again – and Elaine says had it not been for the procedure, she might never have known about her heart condition.
Despite it being a close call, Elaine said she “wouldn’t change a thing”.
The funeral director said: “When we found out Mike’s kidney was failing I knew I wanted to see if I was a match.
‘In a way, Mike has saved me too – without going through the op, I might never have known about my heart.’
Elaine Geekie
“I wanted to do what I could to save him and help him have a life again.
“It was so difficult to see him so ill.
“Giving him a kidney really was an amazing thing I could do.
“I feel so privileged I could.
“It was scary that my heart almost failed me while I was on the table but I have no regrets.
“In a way, Mike has saved me too – without going through the op, I might never have known about my heart.”
Mike said: “I can’t thank my wife enough for all she has done for me.
“She’s quite literally saved my life and made my quality of life so much better.
“Almost losing her was terrifying. I am so relieved she pulled through and we’re both here to tell the tale.”
