Maureen Bretherton, of Dunedin, estimates she had only weeks left to live when she received a new liver from an organ donor in August last year.
She was diagnosed with hepatitis C about 20 years ago and after two rounds of unsuccessful treatment over several years her liver was severely damaged by the disease and she developed liver cancer.
In October 2013 she underwent testing at the New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit in Auckland to find out whether she was eligible for a liver transplant. Two weeks later she was told she had been placed on the liver transplant list.
''That felt like an achievement in itself . There's the possibility that you might not be suitable.
''As that summer went on I became more and more unwell. I didn't work at all in 2014 and by about June I could hardly get off the sofa. I was just exhausted,'' she said.
As she became sicker and realised she was dying, she came to terms with death and began to accept it.
''It didn't seem likely at that stage I would get a transplant - well, that's how I felt. There's so much pressure on the transplant list and there are all sorts of crises that occur and people get moved up the list.
''I was probably lucky in some ways to have had the time to go through that process and realise that I'd had a pretty great life. I've had lots of good times and I have a wonderful family. It really helped me to be able to think about how lucky I have been.''
Then in August 2014 she got a call from the liver transplant unit saying they had a liver for her.
''It was breathtaking. I think in that waiting process I had learnt to hope and I thought this is it, this is my chance.
''We got a direct flight and went to Auckland Hospital. It was the most relaxed and intense period. So much happened but there was not one moment of rush. Everybody was so calm and so reassuring, you just knew they knew what they were doing.''
After two periods of rejection and plenty of medication, her body accepted the liver and, thanks to the organ donor, she had her second chance.
''Through all of the recovery time I had this overwhelming gratitude to the donor. I've written twice to the family who, of course, you know nothing about. It took a while to write. How do you thank someone for your life?
''As a recipient it's a lot to get your head around. You survived due to someone else's tragedy, and some other family's loss, and somehow, in the midst of that tragedy, they have been able to make that incredible decision,'' Mrs Bretherton said.
One year on she has a lot to be grateful for.
''In this last year I've had a grandson who's now 7 months old. That means the world to me. We lost a granddaughter who was with us for 3 months and now being here to know her little brother is just the biggest gift ever.
''I have had the opportunity to reassess and be more intentional with what I want to do with my life. So much of life we cruise along and now I've been exposed to how astonishing life is and I want to do some really good things, especially for other people.''
Organ Donation New Zealand communications adviser Michael Colhoun said the organisation was encouraging people to talk about organ donation with their families.
''Donation should be discussed with all families, irrespective of whether the word donor is on the driver licence.
''A health professional will ask your family for their agreement to donate, and what organs and tissues they agree to donate. This is why it is important to have a conversation with your family about your wishes,'' Mr Colhoun said.
One donor could transform the lives of up to 10 recipients.
- by David Beck
