(Click here to read about PSC in our Liver Disease Guide)

Hello, my name is Brendan McAtamney and I live with Caroline in North Kildare. We have been blessed with four (now adult) children and two gorgeous grand-children. At 62, I am retired from work following a business-focussed career.

My health story started in my early thirties with a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease (part of Inflammatory Bowel Disease). For a few decades everything was pretty steady (with the help of biologics), but then my liver story stared in 2017 with the diagnosis of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). I had no symptoms, but liver function enzyme levels in my blood were elevated and ultrasound/MRI confirmed PSC and liver damage.
Again, everything was pretty steady – I worked away with the only symptom being fatigue – but then in 2022, I “fell over” in terms of PSC disease progression. This led to serious weight loss, more draining fatigue, infection (cholangitis), jaundice and feeling generally very unwell.

I was assessed and listed for a liver transplant in November 2022 and luckily (as I had become very weak) I was transplanted in January 2023. I spent 11 days in St Bridget’s at St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) where I received the most amazing care. My new liver began to work almost immediately. My normal colour returned, my energy got stronger, my weight increased and frankly I felt and looked normal again… Whilst the early days were tough, within six months I was healthier than I had been in years. I started to enjoy life with lots of family, sports and traveling activities but more importantly myself, and my family replaced fear with hope and joy!!

I am forever grateful for the generosity of my donor and her family, for the wonderful care and expertise of the SVUH Liver Transplant Team and especially to Caroline and my family for their enduring love and support.