Mother's gift of life as she donates kidney to son Jaxon
This World Kidney Day Sarah Hall, mum of Jaxon Bennett shares the story of how Jaxon was able to get his life back through the kidney she had donated to him.
Jaxon was diagnosed with posterior urethral valves and has been with Birmingham Children's Hospital since birth. Mum, Sarah, from Stoke-on-Trent, has always known that he would need a kidney transplant at one point in his life but she was just not sure when.
Last year, Jaxons’s kidneys suddenly began to decline, and he was put on the kidney transplant list.
Sarah said: “It felt like a whirlwind, it happened so fast even though we knew It was coming we could never be prepared”. Just before he was due to go on dialysis, Mum was announced as a match to donate her kidney to Jaxon.
Sarah said: “I knew since he was born that If I could donate my kidney I would do it, I went into autopilot mode and took it all in my stride. I had a lot of tests including checks on my heart and CT scans. I passed a full health MOT to be able to donate to him. We always spoke to him about kidney donation from a young age so that he knew what to expect”.
On the day of the transplant, Sarah was being operated on at Queens Elizabeth Hospital and Jaxon was awaiting the kidney at the Children's. The kidney was transported between the hospitals through an air ambulance.
Sarah commented: “It was hard that I wasn’t there for him but I knew I was doing everything I could do for him in that moment by giving him my kidney.”
Jaxon, 9, an avid footballer and gamer said: “I’m glad it wasn’t someone else’s kidney and that it was my mums!” Jaxon is now four months post-operation and is back to his healthy self.
Carmell Capelett, advanced nurse practitioner, added: “Jaxon coped very well during the transplant because his dad was with him in the hospital. His biggest struggle was swallowing tablets, but his mum has found some alternatives using food supplements. Jaxon is a very brave and chatty boy and they are a lovely family to have in the unit.”
Sarah said: “The moment a nurse on ward 1 took Jaxon’s catheter and drain out was a significant moment for us because it was a sign that he had turned a page and things were being taken away that he didn’t need anymore. Carmell Capelett is one of our favourites at the hospital, we see her every two weeks and she is brilliant. She really listens to my questions, and she makes time for us."
“I think it’s important to be able to speak your voice and be comfortable enough to do so. I found that my opinions were being heard and I was being accommodated when possible, it’s a massive help, especially with children.”