Being told that I had liver disease and needed a liver transplant came as a relief, as finally someone had told us why I kept getting crook and being admitted to hospital all the time.

After an initial work up at the Austin Hospital we were placed on the transplant waiting list with no guarantees. We had two false starts where we were called but sent home because of different complications. After twelve months on the list we received the call that was to change my life completely. To go from close to death to being well in a matter of weeks was unbelievable.

The doctors and nurses that perform transplants are nothing short of miracle workers. I need to take medication every day for the rest of my life, as well as monthly blood tests and regular visits to the doctors but I am very lucky.

One of the hardest things I did was to write a letter of thanks to the donor family. I was taken aback when I received a letter back thanking me for my letter.

If they hadn't discussed organ donation I wouldn't be here writing this, so thank you.