Teacher's kidney gift saves life of husband

Patricia Petman has donated a kidney to husband Rod in a stunning gesture that should end a progressive disease he has endured for most of his life.

And it should mean a new era for the couple, who have been married for seven years and teach at the town's Holgate Comprehensive School.

The decision to donate one of her kidneys was made by Patricia (56) after a fruitless search to find a donor began on Christmas Eve 2007.

While the wait dragged on, Rod's health deteriorated to such an extent that she decided to take action.

Nine months of testing followed to ensure Patricia was healthy enough to donate before the Petmans were given the go-ahead for surgery.

Now they are looking forward to a bright future after the successful operation at Nottingham City Hospital.

Patricia, who teaches biology at Holgate, told the Dispatch: "To start with, I wasn't very sure about the operation. I was a bit iffy about it and wasn't sure whether I wanted to do it.

"But with the amazing support we received from the surgeons, nurses and staff at the hospital, as well as seeing Rod deteriorate, it made the final decision pretty easy."

The condition Rod (58) suffered from is called glomerala nephritis and results in the gradual deterioration of kidney function. He was diagnosed more than 37 years ago when he went for his first teaching job and a medical uncovered the condition.

The assistant head and IT teacher was facing the prospect of spending the rest of his life on dialysis if a donor couldn't be found. This would have placed massive restrictions on his working and home life.

But now he is targeting Tuesday February 17 as a landmark day. For this is exactly 90 days after the operation and, from this point, his body is unlikely to reject the organ.

Rod admits that he had mixed feelings about accepting a kidney from his wife – out of concern for her wellbeing during the operation.

There were also fears that his body might have rejected his wife's kidney, leaving both of them with health problems.

But the couple, who have five children between them and a grandchild on the way, came through unscathed. And they say that was down to the expertise of the hospital staff.

Patricia said: "I cannot put enough emphasis on the efforts of everyone at the City Hospital. They were incredible.

"From the fantastic surgeon who operated on me, Magdi Shehata, to Anne Frankton, who co-ordinated the surgery, they were excellent.

"The amount of effort they put in was fantastic. Mr Shehata gave me so much confidence without pretending there was no risk. He is an amazing surgeon."

Amazingly, the Petmans continued to take classes at Holgate until the day before the operation.

Patricia returned to teaching at the start of the new term earlier this month and Rod is itching to get back as soon as his medication balance is correct and the transplant has fully settled.

Already he is noticing life-changing differences – from having more energy to being able to drink coffee and eat things such as bananas, which were previously off the menu because of his illness.

In a thankyou to his wife, Rod said: "All the signs at the moment are very positive. This is a debt I cannot repay."

Surgeon Mr Shehata also recognised the sacrifice made by Patricia and labelled her donation of a kidney "one of the most wonderful gifts anyone can give".

He added: "Mr Petman's kidney is functioning really well and he has had no rejection. His prospects are excellent."

He is an amazing surgeon.”

Amazingly, the Petmans continued to take classes at Holgate until the day before the operation.

Patricia returned to teaching at the start of the new term earlier this month and Rod is itching to get back as soon as his medication balance is correct and the transplant has fully settled.

Already he is noticing life-changing differences – from having more energy to being able to drink coffee and eat things such as bananas, which were previously off the menu because of his illness.

In a thankyou to his wife, Rod said: “All the signs at the moment are very positive. This is a debt I cannot repay.”

Surgeon Mr Shehata also recognised the sacrifice made by Patricia and labelled her donation of a kidney “one of the most wonderful gifts anyone can give”.

He added: “Mr Petman’s kidney is functioning really well and he has had no rejection. His prospects are excellent.”

n OUR PHOTO (left) shows Patricia and Rod happily looking forward to the rest of their lives