“No words can express what my wife did for my brother. It was a life changing experience for all of us.”
– Mr Mohd Taufik, who is grateful to his wife for her magnanimous act
“If your loved one is suffering from kidney failure and you know you can give, why not? You are giving someone a chance to have a better quality of life.”
– Madam Norhayati, who gave her brother-in-law the gift of life by donating her kidney to him
“I wanted to give him back his life. He was constantly in pain and agonising over his fate. He had lost all hope to live.”
And this healthy and happily married mother of five young boys did just that when she gave her brother-in-law one of the greatest gifts in life – a kidney.
It all started in 2017 when Mr Roslan Bin Saydeh, then 57, shockingly found out that he had kidney failure due to years of having diabetes, and had to start dialysis to sustain his life. He felt his whole world come crashing down.
His doctor told him that having a kidney transplant from a living donor was the best treatment option, as he could enjoy a better quality of life and a longer life expectancy than those dependent on dialysis. A newly transplanted kidney can almost completely replace the lost functions of the failed kidney, allowing the patient to live life normally.
When he mooted this option to his immediate family members, they willingly volunteered to donate one of their kidneys to him without hesitation. After they underwent several tests, his younger brother, Mr Mohd Taufik, was found to be a suitable match. Roslan was ecstatic and looked forward to leading a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Double setback
But things did not turn out as planned. Before the transplant could take place, Rosian had to undergo an angioplasty due to a heart condition. He fully recovered six months later after his successful surgery. His hopes were up again, and he was once again looking forward to having his transplant.
As fate would have it, he faced another major setback. Taufik, who needed to go for a re-test, was found to have a high blood sugar level and it was risky for him to undergo a transplant operation. Roslan was devastated. His hopes and dreams were dashed. He was disheartened as he could not come to terms with having to undergo lifelong dialysis. He wanted to give up on life. His anguish and misery were also taking a considerable toll on his family.
A saviour
In the midst of uncertainties and trepidation, a saviour emerged in Roslan’s life. Taufik’s wife, Madam Norhayati Mohd Ali, then 39, could not bear to see her brother-in-law suffer physically, emotionally and mentally. She felt that she had to do something and mulled over giving her kidney to Roslan. She shared her thoughts with her husband and mother. With their blessings, she gallantly stepped forward to offer her kidney to Roslan. After several tests, there was good news – Norhayati was a suitable match. She underwent a thorough process in order to be cleared for the transplant surgery, including being prepared psychologically.
“After the time when I was found to be a suitable match, many questions started running through my mind like ‘will I be able to lead a normal life after the transplant?”’ said Norhayati. “But after receiving counselling and reassurances from the transplant doctor, my fears and doubts were allayed.”
Support from NKF
The successful transplant took place on 15 January 2020. Norhayati and Roslan are thankful that they are able to benefit from NKF’s Kidney Live Donor Support Fund, which helps defray the cost of post transplant expenses like medical check-ups and medication.
Both donor and recipient doing well
Roslan is feeling much better after his transplant.With proper care, diet, regular screenings at the hospital and timely medication, Roslan is keeping well. He exercises on the treadmill, goes for brisk walks, brings his wife for check-ups on her spinal problem at the hospital and helps look after his four grandchildren. He is enjoying his new lease of life.
“I am no longer bogged down with the need to undergo dialysis treatment,” said Roslan. “I am indeed grateful to Norhayati for giving me this new life.
What she did was a brave and selfless act.”
For Norhayati, her life has not changed. She has resumed her normal routine as a homemaker soon after the transplant. She manages the day-to-day running of the household and takes care of her family’s needs, especially that of her five young children. She is happy and healthy as ever and hopes that her gift of life will spur others on to come forward to give their kidney to those in need.
“If your loved one is suffering from kidney failure and you know you can give, why not?” said Norhayati. “You are giving someone a chance to have a better quality of life.”
