Hello fellow liver transplantees. My name is Philip Kavanagh and I am a Dubliner married with three grown-up children and living in Arklow, Co. Wicklow for the past 45 years. My liver transplant journey began when I was in my early 50’s.

I enjoyed good health, rarely visiting the doctor. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry and each year I had a medical. At about age 45 I was diagnosed with mild type 2 diabetes. A few years later the company changed the medical to a clinic in Dublin and they informed me that my liver enzymes were very high. I was referred to Prof. McCormick in St.Vincent’s and it was decided to reduce the iron content of my liver.

After several blood lettings the iron decreased but my liver enzymes continued to rise. Alcohol was cut out for a few months but there was no change. For the next few years, I had a bi-annual ultrasound which showed the presence of some small tumours and Prof. McCormick indicated that I would likely require a transplant in the future. At this time, I still had no symptoms. However, on December 27th 2007, I experienced oesophageal bleeding. My GP immediately organised the ambulance to take me to St.Vincent’s A&E. After the veins were repaired, I remained in hospital for two weeks, my first time in hospital since my tonsils were removed when I was six.

It took me about six months to recover and I suggested to Prof. McCormick that I needed a holiday. To my surprise he agreed but requested that I see him on my return. The news on my return was that he was putting me on the transplant list, and I was required to stay in hospital for a full check-up and to have chemotherapy applied directly onto the liver. Two months later I received the call that I was not expecting to get so soon, and I was transplanted the following day. I was discharged after 12 days and made a good recovery.

I was advised by a German doctor friend that I should ensure that I got eight hours sleep and plenty of exercise. I decided then that I would do my best to keep fit and healthy. Nine months post-transplant, I was informed that the IKA were holding their first Run for a Life day and I decided to take part. With a combination of mostly walking and jogging I was delighted to complete the course. I have only missed one of these annual runs since. I was determined to increase my fitness level and so I joined our local gym. I grew to enjoy my 40 minutes daily gym sessions.

A year and a half post-transplant, the European Transplant Games were held in Dublin and I entered for golf and the 5k walk race. I was delighted to receive a silver medal in the golf and have the energy to finish the 5k. The following year I repeated this in The World Games held in Sweden. I have taken part in two World Games and three European Games. In 2019 I trained for the 100m sprint and took part in that race in the World Games Newcastle as well as the golf.

Recently, the World Transplant Games Federation organised a fitness challenge during the pandemic and I submitted a 20 second video on an exercise bike. I was one of six people from around the world to receive a prize!

My life changed the day I received my transplant, but my subsequent journey has been amazing since I became involved with Transplant Ireland. I have managed to keep reasonably fit for a 76 year old. I have been able to get a 4k walk in most days on the Arklow “Prom” since we have been locked up. To be able to take part in these games is due entirely to my donor’s generosity and I continuously thank him. I look forward to taking part in future games.