Sisters Pamela and Shelley Townsley had more reasons than most to celebrate this Christmas.
Less than 18 months after giving her sibling one of her kidneys, and the gift of a second chance at life, Shelley gave birth to a baby boy.
Pamela, 36, who lives in Cleland received the life-changing transplant last year when her sister stepped in and offered her one of her organs after discovering neither of their parents were a suitable match.
“We had our transplant anniversary in June this year and I had a kidney cake made,” said Pamela.
“The difference from when I first got the transplant to now is like I’m a different person.
“I didn’t realise how much a kidney meant until I fell ill.”
And Shelley, 34, received a precious gift of her own just in time for Christmas.
Little baby Conor was born less than two weeks ago weighing in at 5lbs 14oz.
Shelley said: “I’ve been shielding and not really been seeing anyone, or going out.
“I was shocked when I fell pregnant at the end of February. I was still visiting the hospital for appointments and checks and then found out I was pregnant. I had to watch when I was pregnant because I only have one kidney.
“Conor is great. I don’t want to jinx it but he is sleeping well and I need to wake him up.
“He is the only one but I’m not having any more.”
The siblings have formed a bubble and the Wishaw Press caught up with them just as Auntie Pamela was meeting her nephew for the first time.
A mum herself to Rio, 14, Pamela is over the moon for her sister and partner Dave.
She revealed: “Shelley wasn’t for having children but we are so happy because she deserves it, and now she knows how it is to be a mum.
“She was always a pet-mum to her dog – he was her boy. Now she has Conor.
“It’s amazing that she was able to give me a kidney and then have a baby.”
Despite having a new lease of life, it hasn’t been plain sailing for Pamela since the transplant.
She added: “I’m just out of hospital so I had not seen the wean yet. I was ill and was in for two weeks. It was the worst I’ve felt for a long time.
“My kidney is working and amazing, but I have a pacemaker fitted and took a bad infection in the lines in my chest.
“The shielding has been depressing because I was in the house for so long on my own. The only time I really get to go out is to go to hospital – which is quite a lot.
“I don’t see people apart from family who are in a bubble but I hadn’t seen Shelley because as soon as I came out of hospital she went in.”
Pamela was looking forward to lots of cuddles with Conor.
She continued: “My God, he is absolutely gorgeous and I saw lots of pictures. Everybody loves him.
“My mum told me he was tiny and I was dying to get a hold of him.
“It’s like he’s my son as well because I have his mum’s kidney.”
It was an eventful year for Pamela too, as well as welcoming her nephew she has found love with partner Derek.
Pamela said: “Rio went to his dad’s this Christmas so it was just myself and Derek. This was our first Christmas together. Derek has been amazing.”
