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Woman receives life-saving kidney from her friend’s husband

"What he did for me, and my family, was quite simply amazing.”

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Josh Hall and Lois Denham. (Photo by Lois Denham via SWNS)

By Ellie Forbes and Morgan Carmichael via SWNS

A woman was given a life-saving kidney by her friend's husband.

Lois Denham, 50, was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at age 8.

The hereditary disorder causes cysts to develop on the kidneys reducing their function over time.

At a check-up in October 2020 Lois was told she had kidney failure and her function was down to just 10 percent.

Medics told Lois they would monitor her monthly but said she would eventually need a transplant.

Lois met truck driver Josh Hall, 29, eight years ago at church after she became friends with his wife.

And in July 2021, dad-of-one Josh decided he wanted to help Lois by giving her a kidney.

The pair underwent the lifesaving transplant surgery on Jan. 17 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, and both are now recovering well at home.

Lois, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, said: "Josh saved my life and I can’t put into words what it is he’s done for me.

"Nothing I could ever do in the rest of my life could repay him enough.

"I know that it is and will continue to be the best gift I’ve ever received.

"Life has completely changed.

"What he did for me, and my family, was quite simply amazing.”

Lois, who works in customer service, went on the transplant list in July 2021 after having to losing weight first.

But Josh stepped in and called her husband Craig, a pastor at Love Church in Glasgow, to say he wanted to donate one of his kidneys.

Lois Denham, 50, was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease when she was just 8 years old. (Photo by Lois Denham via SWNS.

Lois said: “I had to lose some weight to get on the transplant list which I did and became active on it from July 2021.

“But Josh had called my husband and said I just can’t shake this feeling that I could do something to help.

“Craig told him he really needed to go away and think about it seriously.

“A few days later he was back on the phone saying he just wanted to do something.

“It felt incredible, he was giving me the gift of life.

“By December 2022 my kidney function had gradually dropped to three percent.

“I was experiencing severe sickness, it didn’t matter what I ate.

“I had terrible fatigue and brain fog to the point where I was going to bed at 6.30 p.m.

“It’s only now I am better I really understand how bad it was.”

Josh started the process of being assessed as a living donor and in December 2022 was officially approved for the transplant.

Josh, from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, said: "I couldn't shake the desire to see if I would be a match and as it turned out, I was.

"As a Christian, I totally believe that we look for 'miracles' or the supernatural but there is nothing more miraculous than love.

"It was a no-brainer for me.

"Even the doctors said, 'it's almost like you were supposed to give one away'.

"Our relationship was always close but going through something like this together naturally adds a new level.

"It has been such a joy and an absolute privilege to make a difference not just in Lois' life but also her family."

Lois added: "I have a new lease on life because of Josh's sacrificial giving, and life has already changed.

"The toxins in my blood were over 1,000 and a normal level is below 120 I now am about 70-80 which is remarkable.

"I’m sharp in my thinking, no longer have fatigue or sickness.

"There is a journey of recovery to go but I’m doing really well.

"We will forever have a bond.

The pair commended the living donor team and surgical team at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital who were ‘superb’.

Lois added: "We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

"We are both so grateful and the care we both have and continue to receive is nothing other than phenomenal."

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