Mother gives son gift of life by donating part of her liver

A Londonderry mother has given her son the gift of life for a second time after she donated part of her liver to him.
Lisa Storey became a living donor for her son AbelLisa Storey became a living donor for her son Abel
Lisa Storey became a living donor for her son Abel

Lisa Storey became a living donor for her son Abel and they underwent major surgery in Birmingham just over two weeks ago.

Eleven-month-old Abel was diagnosed with the rare liver disease Billiary Atresia when he was just weeks old.

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He is now free of the disease and is no longer suffering the “shocking” pain it was causing him due to his mother’s selfless act.

Lisa and Abel are making a speedy recovery and returned home 13 days after the transplant.

The brave mum said their first day at home was like “Christmas morning” as Abel flew around the house on his walker like any other healthy child.

“I don’t think any parent would give becoming a living donor a second thought. I didn’t overthink the operation or what things would be like after the operation. I just wanted the end result.

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“Abel must have been in so much pain and there was nothing else I could do to take that away. To now know that I have helped remove that is brilliant.”

Lisa has shared her son’s organ donation journey with thousands of people online to encourage others to make their wishes known.

“There is a huge problem in the United Kingdom and we just don’t have enough organ donors. It is something people maybe don’t want to think about or talk about.

“If your wishes are not clearly known by your family they can refuse permission at a time when they are emotionally distraught. Please let your family know if you want to donate your organs.”

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Abel will be on a strict regime of medication for the rest of his life following the transplant.

For Lisa and her husband Jude, the most important thing is keeping Abel infection free, particularly in the first few weeks post-transplant as it can be fatal.

They will have to avoid busy places to reduce the risks to their baby and visits to their home will be restricted to close family.

Everyone who comes into their home will also have to wash their hands and use anti-bacterial gel.

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“We have been going around the house with anti-bacterial wipes cleaning everything that Abel might touch.

“We have to take every day at a time but at the minute we feel really, really good. I have quite a large scar, but what is the cost of a scar when it has Abel well and healthy?”