Ill Suzanne Davies got the ultimate Christmas present when her partner Neil Parry's organ proved to be a near-perfect match
A mum-of-two has been given the ultimate Christmas present by her devoted boyfriend - a new kidney.
Suzanne Davies underwent a lifesaving kidney transplant in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, in December after her partner Neil Parry proved a near-perfect match.
The 36-year-old was told she was in renal failure by doctors and either needed to go on dialysis or have her kidney replaced.
Despite admitting it was a daunting prospect, businessman Neil stepped forward to help the love of his life.
"He is my hero and my saviour," said Suzanne.
"I'm so lucky to have him in my life.
"For the last 10 years we have been together he has seen me suffer with my health.
"He could have walked away but he didn't.
"He has stuck with me through thick and thin and now he has given me a new lease of life.
"I can't thank him enough."
Suzanne, from Merthyr Tydfil, has suffered with a rare disorder of the adrenal glands, called Addison's Disease, since she was just eight-years-old.
She has needed regular medication for nearly three decades to replace two essential hormones she lacks in her body called cortisol and aldosterone.
But her health took a dramatic turn for the worse two years ago when her kidney function began to deteriorate.
She said: "I was being sick quite a lot and for the past 18 months I've been suffering with gout and getting lots of infections.
"When I went to see a consultant in September and he said I either needed a transplant or dialysis.
"Both my mum and Neil were a match but it was best to go with Neil as he's younger and more healthy.
"It was a big step for him."
The pair met 10 years ago on a night out in Swansea and have remain inseparable since.
They have two children together, nine-year-old Cole and five-year-old Isla, and also lost a daughter at just a day old in 2008.
She added: "Neil is my best friend and we've been through so much together.
"He has changed my life for the better so our two beautiful children can have a healthy mum.
"We might get married at some stage, but I don't need a piece of paper to prove how much we belong together.
"I'd rather hand over all the wedding money to charity."
Suzanne, who is still in hospital after she suffered a minor infection in her ureteric stent following the transplant on December 8, said she now has
plans to study to become a nurse or criminologist.
"I've never been healthy in my life, so for him to give me this chance is amazing."
Neil said the entire family managed to spend Christmas Day at their Merthyr home.
He said: "If she'd gone on dialysis she'd need three visits a week to the hospital - and people on dialysis get very poorly.
"Having the operation meant we were both out of action for a just couple of months, rather than anything long-term.
"We are a strong couple."
A mum-of-two has been given the ultimate Christmas present by her devoted boyfriend - a new kidney.
Suzanne Davies underwent a lifesaving kidney transplant in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, in December after her partner Neil Parry proved a near-perfect match.
The 36-year-old was told she was in renal failure by doctors and either needed to go on dialysis or have her kidney replaced.
Despite admitting it was a daunting prospect, businessman Neil stepped forward to help the love of his life.
"He is my hero and my saviour," said Suzanne.
"I'm so lucky to have him in my life.
"For the last 10 years we have been together he has seen me suffer with my health.
"He could have walked away but he didn't.
"He has stuck with me through thick and thin and now he has given me a new lease of life.
"I can't thank him enough."
Suzanne, from Merthyr Tydfil, has suffered with a rare disorder of the adrenal glands, called Addison's Disease, since she was just eight-years-old.
She has needed regular medication for nearly three decades to replace two essential hormones she lacks in her body called cortisol and aldosterone.
But her health took a dramatic turn for the worse two years ago when her kidney function began to deteriorate.
She said: "I was being sick quite a lot and for the past 18 months I've been suffering with gout and getting lots of infections.
"When I went to see a consultant in September and he said I either needed a transplant or dialysis.
"Both my mum and Neil were a match but it was best to go with Neil as he's younger and more healthy.
"It was a big step for him."
The pair met 10 years ago on a night out in Swansea and have remain inseparable since.
They have two children together, nine-year-old Cole and five-year-old Isla, and also lost a daughter at just a day old in 2008.
She added: "Neil is my best friend and we've been through so much together.
"He has changed my life for the better so our two beautiful children can have a healthy mum.
"We might get married at some stage, but I don't need a piece of paper to prove how much we belong together.
"I'd rather hand over all the wedding money to charity."
Suzanne, who is still in hospital after she suffered a minor infection in her ureteric stent following the transplant on December 8, said she now has
plans to study to become a nurse or criminologist.
"I've never been healthy in my life, so for him to give me this chance is amazing."
Neil said the entire family managed to spend Christmas Day at their Merthyr home.
He said: "If she'd gone on dialysis she'd need three visits a week to the hospital - and people on dialysis get very poorly.
"Having the operation meant we were both out of action for a just couple of months, rather than anything long-term.
"We are a strong couple."
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