Kidney donation gives purpose to her life
The coincidental story of how two local women met and the subsequent events, is one that will warm your heart.
POLOKWANE – Amanda Crous is a healthy mother and grandmother with dreams like many others. In 2016 she needed something more in her life and after saying a prayer, her life changed for the better. This is her story:
“In 2016 I heard about friends of ours whose daughter was diagnosed with kidney disease at an early age. At the age of 17, she received a kidney from her mother but needed another transplant. The family was looking for a kidney for Annalise Cloete. “
On her way home, on Valentine’s Day in 2017, Amanda prayed about her purpose on earth.
“I wanted to know where I was going. I am 50 years old, 100% healthy and I feel useless. Is there not some way I can take over someone else’s hurt and fight for them?”
She then stopped next to the road and phoned Annalise’s mom, Marlene van der Walt, offering to donate a kidney.
“It was exactly 16:00. Her mom said she would tell Annalise the news, but at that point they had already tested her husband and he was a match. They were just waiting for the final test results. After ending the call, I asked myself why would I place my health on the spot. I realised I just asked God to use me, how could I now say ‘no’?”
The next morning Annalise phoned to ask if Amanda about her decision, upon which Amanda related the conversation she had had with God the previous day. A very emotional Annalise replied that at exactly 16:00 on the same day Amanda had her conversation with God, doctors told her that due to her husband’s blood pressure, he would not be able to be a donor. She then went on her knees and asked God to send someone.
“We had to do a lot of tests. The first one was to see if I was a match and the result came back as a 100% match. Every other test result came back positive. I spoke to my family and they reassured me of their support. I had to go for psychiatric evaluations where they mentioned my support system and a positive attitude.”
Once the tests were conducted, permission was needed from the medical board and after testing positive for a final test, a date for the operation was set for 27 October 2017.
A few days before Amanda had to go to hospital, Annalise fell ill and the operation had to be postponed for three months.
Due to blood donations, the two were no longer a match in December that year, and despite several tests, it didn’t look good. However, in June 2018, she was asked once again by Annalise if she was still willing and an operation date was scheduled for 28 September 2018.
The operation was via robotic method, in a urological hospital, which increases healing and doesn’t involve big cuts and trauma on the body. The operation lasted an hour and a half and the kidney was taken to Jakaranda Hospital where Annalise’s operation was done.
Amanda explained that life after the operation was normal and that she was informed, during her six-week follow-up examination, that her kidney had already grown bigger to accommodate the lost one. “I have to do blood tests often to make sure there are no changes in the kidney I still have.”
Amanda lives a normal life, and in 2019 she started playing ringball, participating in the South African tournament only nine months after the operation.
“I realised before the operation that life is precious and we should help where we can, if we can. Our Lord uses us as instruments and if we do not look at ourselves by respecting our bodies, we are not obedient to the Lord. I am grateful every day that I was able to help someone in need. If I can be a living donor again, I definitely will. I am considering giving part of my liver to someone if I can. My biggest wish is for people to be more willing to become living organ donors.”
The ins and outs of organ donation
Emlynn Royine from the Organ Donor Foundation explained that, should you decide to become a donor, the hospital or Tissue Bank will cover all medical expenses from the moment your family has given consent for the donation of organs or tissue. “You will, however, not get paid as donating is a gift,” she said.
To become a potential organ or tissue donor, register online at www.odf.org.za or call the Organ Donor Foundation’s toll-free line on 0800 22 66 11.
Here are more facts about organ donation:
