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Peter's Journey: Overcoming Kidney Challenges After COVID

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Join us for a compelling conversation with Peter as he shares his remarkable journey of living with kidney issues after surviving COVID-19. In this eye-opening discussion, Peter delves into the challenges he has faced with kidney functionality, including the daunting prospect of kidney failure and undergoing dialysis.

Peter's story takes a miraculous turn as he recounts the incredible gift of not one, but two kidney donations, which have transformed his life. We explore the physical and emotional challenges of living with kidney issues, as well as the resilience and hope that have sustained Peter through his journey.

Whether you're personally affected by kidney health concerns, or seeking inspiration from stories of resilience, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement. Subscribe now to gain a deeper understanding of kidney functionality and the power of resilience in overcoming health challenges. 🌟🎙️ #KidneyHealth #SurvivingCOVID #OrganDonationJourney 🌈











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UNKNOWN:

you

SPEAKER_03:

Hello and welcome to Navigating the Chapters of Challenge with Tele. Today I've got Peter Olukomi in the house with us and I'm just going to ask him to introduce himself briefly and then we'll take it from there. So, Peter, please introduce yourself.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh yes, my name, as Tele just said, is Peter Olukomi. I live in the East End of London. I've been in this country for numbers of years now. I used to work for the government, but now I now work for Ocado, India's finance department. I have three children and a wife. Yes, that's just all about me. That's

SPEAKER_03:

plenty. That's plenty. Yeah. So the topic that we're Dealing with today is one that we've talked about recently. One of the podcasts we had a few weeks ago, we talked about kidney disease. But this from the perspective of a carer, so someone caring for somebody who was going through kidney problems and all of that. Today we're talking to Peter and this time we're talking from the perspective of the person who actually went through the disease and all that it entails. So we're going to just, Uncle Peter's going to, I call him Uncle Peter, and he's going to Tell us his own story and we'll take it from there. And we'll ask the Holy Spirit to just lead and direct us in this. So first thing I'm going to ask, how did you know that there was something wrong? How did you know there was an issue?

SPEAKER_01:

Good question. It all stemmed from, as far as I remember, 2020. Okay. When I had COVID. Okay. And then the COVID, I thought, I mean, you know, that was the time that you had to isolate for 14 days. Yes. And then I was at home. I thought I was getting better. And then towards the end of the 14th day, which was actually on Christmas Day in 2020, I just got worse. I couldn't eat. I couldn't do anything. So my wife... uh called the ambulance because they all thought that because it's unusual for me for anybody that knows me i love my food and when i'm not eating there's definitely something not right so uh and at that time i was a bit apprehensive actually going to the hospital because there was uh rumors at the time and and obviously social media was saying that you know people shouldn't really go to hospital that if you go to a hospital you wouldn't come out again yeah and then when my wife actually decided to send me to the hospital. I'm thinking, is this woman trying to get rid of me or what? Oh dear. Poor woman. I didn't have any strength to fight it off. And then I went to, I was taken to my local hospital near me. And then I was transferred to another hospital, which was which course. And then finally, I ended up in London Royal Hospital. So within the space of two days, they transferred me to three hospitals. And then I had my treatment. I was in there for, I say probably about four weeks or even longer than that. Unfortunately, the ward that I was in, I saw a lot of people that obviously passed away. It's only by the grace of God that I'm actually here standing, well, sitting here or standing here actually telling this story. And I came out of the hospital thinking that obviously I'd overcome COVID and everything was fine. And then I think it was just before I came out from the hospital, one of the consultants came to tell me that unfortunately, my kidney functionality wasn't as it should have been. So after getting over COVID, then a problem, which is the kidney functionality, it wasn't. So they said that, unfortunately, I had to go on dialysis. And I remember when they told me my heart just sank. Having recovered from COVID, And having now been told that I had to have dialysis. And I do recollect my first interview or my first meeting with a consultant with the dialysis. And obviously I was asking me a lot of questions and I just remember just saying it. And I think it was the, I don't think, I know it was the Holy Spirit because I said, well, is there any possibility of me recovering from this dialysis? And he said, your chances of recovering is pretty zero, really. Wow. You'd probably be you're probably going to be, if you don't have the dialysis, then you might probably have to just wait for kidney transplant. So I was, and I remember saying to him, look, I serve a God that's a God of miracle. He can do anything and everything is possible with him. And he looked at me and said, who is this guy? Who is he? He's another one of those people. Another one of those people. And anyway, I was on dialysis for over a year. And I was having my dialysis three times a week for three hours each day. So I was attending dialysis for Monday, wednesdays and fridays um i was i really have to thank god because um any any on any other employer they might probably not be sympathetic or mine was very very very pathetic they were very very good they gave me time off um and then i um i i was as i said i was there for a year and i had a consultant that um used to come around now and again and um he then wanted to uh increase my dosage of my dialysis that i was having yeah to four hours because i was having only three hours and i'm saying to god what is going on uh uh you know because there's certain times in your in your life that even though we're christians and we believe in the faith you do have that yes yeah when things are happening to you yeah and uh i do recollect the the the um the consultant asking me or saying to me that they have to increase it to four hours and i said why do you have to increase it i mean i'm quite okay with the three hours but obviously they're the professional uh they know what you're talking about but i would not accept the four hours and i just said let's just keep on these three hours that i'm doing and just take it from there. And I thank God that he accepted and said, okay, I'll review your situations in about a few weeks time and see if everything has deteriorated. And so they left it for three, three, three. So they left it for three hours a day. And so I was there. And then all of a sudden that consultant, he just, he left. Okay. Or they moved him. I believe that everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord. And then they then brought another consultant in. And within this space, this is no word of a lie, within this space of three months, there was improvement in my kidney functionality.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

And then she then said to me, that, well, she doesn't know what is happening, but because I was in single digit with my functionality, so probably about 7% my kidney functionality was. And then it went to about 15% within the space of three months

SPEAKER_03:

when

SPEAKER_01:

I was on dialysis. So she then said to me, okay, Now that your functionality is getting better, we're going to reduce your dialysis from three days a week to two days a week. So they were doing that for two days a week. And then they cut it down to one day a week.

SPEAKER_03:

And

SPEAKER_01:

then afterwards, they then decided that they've stopped the dialysis. I actually went to my church. I gave a testimony. of how God really, how God helped me and healed me. And that was that in 2021, I would say, up to 2021, 2022. Okay. Yeah. And then I went back to work. I was working full time and my job that I actually do now, I work in Hertfordshire, but I work three days a week at home and then two days in the office. So I was doing that. With that, I was off dialysis. And everything was fine. And I thought I was healed. But then in July, or was it June? It was in April of 2023. In April of 2023. I mean, this is obviously having gone back to work and everything being fine and everything being all right. I then... I mean, in the interim, I was still being seen by a consultant just to make sure that my condition was fine. And as far as I was, I mean, I didn't feel any other symptoms. I was fine. I was okay. Well, according to me anyway, because I wasn't feeling anything any different from, you know, I just thought everything was all right. Instead, I've gone back to work. I was able to drive and everything like that. My appetite was as strong as ever. And then, They then asked me, I think it was the last time I saw my consultant. They said my kidney functionality had gone down again.

SPEAKER_03:

And

SPEAKER_01:

I thought, what is going on here? So they asked me to go and see my GP to have a blood test. And sometimes those men were very reluctant to do certain things. I do recollect me receiving... me receiving a text from my GP to come and... Hello?

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, I can

SPEAKER_01:

hear you. Can you hear me? Yeah, I can hear you. Yeah, I do recollect receiving a text from my GP to come and have a blood test. And I actually ignored it and I was just going to be bothered. And then they sent me another reminder. I ignored that one. And then... Because they were quite persistent. They said, we sent you a second reminder and you need to come and have this blood test. Eventually, reluctantly, as you say, I went. I went on, let's say, on a Wednesday. And by the Friday, my GP himself called me to say, we've got your result back. We've got your result back. And you need now to drop everything and go to an A&E.

SPEAKER_03:

And

SPEAKER_01:

I wasn't feeling, there wasn't anything, as I said, I was feeling okay. I wasn't feeling, you know, according to me, I was healed. I was all right. And then I went to, so basically I went to, again, I went to A&E at London Royal Institute. And that's when I discovered that my kidney functionality had gone back drastically again to 7%.

SPEAKER_03:

Did they give you any reason for this? For why it

SPEAKER_01:

dropped again? No, they didn't. But mind you, if you do recollect, from what I said earlier on, they've taken me off dialysis because they thought that everything was fine. I'm sure they must have told me, but unfortunately I can't actually remember. I just knew, all I just heard was your kidney functionality again was down to 7%. So I then thought to myself, God, i thought have been healed what is going on what is going on i was questioning god um as they all do absolutely absolutely and then what then happened was that um i was just i just thought oh not again oh yeah actually when they told me about my kidney functionality they said i have got to go back on dialysis again after they told me

SPEAKER_03:

So

SPEAKER_01:

I said, okay. But I didn't really want to go back to dialysis. And one of the reasons why I didn't want to go back to dialysis, for anyone that's been on dialysis, there's a lot of restrictions on what you can do and what you can't do, especially the food that you can eat and the food that you can't eat. And as I said, I love my food so much. I mean, one of the things I didn't have was plantains. okay i could eat plantain all day morning night and day oh dear i couldn't touch bananas i couldn't touch nuts i couldn't do this uh and also my my liquid intake was controlled i couldn't have more than one meter a day oh in my when you dialysis your liquid is controlled you cannot have you you cannot go over certain limit of liquid of intake so when it told me i was going to dialysis on dialysis i thought oh my gosh i can't do this anymore this is just ridiculous anyway i um i had seen my My GP, they sent me to a hospital and then they told me obviously that I had to go back on dialysis. And whilst I was waiting to go on dialysis, I think it must have been probably three or a month afterwards, I was getting ready to go to work. And all of a sudden, this was just about 10 past 12 in the morning or at night, as you say. And a telephone call came through. And I'm thinking, it's 12 o'clock at night. Who is ringing me up? Who's going to be ringing me up at this time of the evening? And I'm thinking, what is going on? And I thought maybe it must be my mom. I don't know who it was. And I just waited and waited and waited. I didn't pick up the telephone. And then the telephone rang again five minutes later. And I'm thinking, what is going on here? Eventually, I pick up the telephone. And it was London Royal Hospital to say that I have to come to a hospital. They've got a donor for me

SPEAKER_03:

and

SPEAKER_01:

I have to have a transplant immediately.

SPEAKER_03:

Wow.

SPEAKER_01:

So I went, I packed my bags. I went to London Royal Hospital. And then when I got there, the consultant then said to me that there are two of us. that will be having a transplant and they've got two kidneys from the same obviously from the same person and they said what they haven't decided is whether they were going to give me one of the kidney you give the other person the other kidney okay uh but they didn't consult and then they're going to come back to me and uh probably a few hours later they came back and they said We decided to give you both of the kidneys.

SPEAKER_03:

Wow.

SPEAKER_01:

And this is honestly, this is a testimony to glorify God. Most people that have kidney transplants, they normally have one.

SPEAKER_03:

The

SPEAKER_01:

reason being, there are shortages of kidney

SPEAKER_03:

donors.

SPEAKER_01:

Because what tends to happen is that obviously for you to be able to have a kidney, uh, obviously, unfortunately, someone will have to pass away. Isn't it? Um, but, uh, and then, I mean, there's a waiting list. People, people have been, some people have been waiting for goodness knows for yonks for years and they can't even get one. And to have been given to was the other person was still waiting.

SPEAKER_03:

That's

SPEAKER_01:

just God. That is just, it can only be gold. It can't be anything else. Yes. It can only be gold. And yeah. So, um, I had the kidney transplant on the 27th of April of last year. And I thank God I'm back to work full time. I'm back to the gym. There's no restrictions on what I can eat or what I can't eat.

SPEAKER_03:

You can eat plantain to your heart's content.

SPEAKER_01:

Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, yes. So God has been really, really faithful. We thank

SPEAKER_03:

God. So that's something I wanted to ask because I was listening to a program this morning, Diary of a Kidney Warrior, and the lady in the program said she had sepsis and was treated for sepsis. But after the treatment for sepsis, her kidneys... now started malfunctioning. Do you think that it was the treatment you got for COVID that could have led to the problem with your kidneys? Do you think?

SPEAKER_01:

There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that it was that. I mean, prior to me having the COVID, I did have some issues with my kidney. But that in itself, that was treated with medication. It did not get to the stage whereby I had to have dialysis. So for me, the problem was when I had the COVID and then whatever they treated me with to get rid of the COVID must have had an impact on my kidneys significantly. But obviously, The government are not going to say it's their responsibility because can you imagine the amount of people that could sue them? That could sue them. So they wouldn't tell me. They just said, unfortunately, we don't know what's happened, but your kidney is not functioning as it should. Because as you said, I've never had it. When they even told me about dialysis, I didn't know what dialysis was. Oh, dear. Because I've never... Yeah, I didn't know what dialysis was until they obviously explained to me. Yes. So, but in answer to your question, I have no doubt in my mind that the treatment that I was given for COVID had an impact on my kidney.

SPEAKER_03:

So when you were in the hospital for COVID treatment, you say you were there for three, is it three weeks or how many weeks?

SPEAKER_01:

About four weeks. Four weeks, okay.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, and you said there were people that died around you. What was going through your mind at that time? Because I can't just, I cannot imagine what you'd have been thinking at that time. What was going through your mind? Talk us through what was going through your mind at that

SPEAKER_01:

time. As I said, It all started even when my wife called an ambulance to take me to the hospital. Because of the news, not the news so much as the social media, what they were saying about going to the hospital, especially if you're a coloured person and you're not coming out. So I just thought, no, my gosh, is this it? uh i do as the question you were asking with regards to what was going through my mind all i could do at the time because i saw it with my own eyes was just ask just pray to god for god to spare my life but i was absolutely petrified because the worst thing that can happen is you actually because all you see is just them just closing the curtains of the people and you guide them around and you knew that that person is gone was gone And you just think to yourself, this could be your nest. And so I was absolutely petrified. You know, I think the funny thing about all of this is that as Christians, we all say we want to be with Jesus in heaven. But when... Nobody wants to die. Nobody wants to die. Not yet. When the reality is... yeah that is the only trust

SPEAKER_03:

yeah

SPEAKER_01:

i was scared i was absolutely petrified i mean to say anything otherwise would be would be me lying yeah so for me Yes, I was absolutely petrified, even though I thought, you know, I'm going to see Jesus, but I wasn't ready yet.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank God for his mercy. Honestly. But this is why I like this program because we can be real. We can be honest with ourselves. Yes. We have to be real. So what was the impact on the family as well? Because at that time, everybody was scared. Like you were scared. I'm sure they were scared. How were they reacting? Because they couldn't even come and see you. So how did they manage that?

SPEAKER_01:

Honestly, for me, and for them especially, I think, not so much me, I think for my family, I think they themselves, they actually, they felt the impact on them was more on them. Because with me, I was helpless. I was at a hospital, I couldn't do anything. But with them, with my wife, actually, And another thing I didn't tell you, when I had the COVID, my wife caught the COVID because she obviously, she had an interaction with me. And then one of my son had it as well because obviously they had to bring food to me and they had to do this and they had to do that. So the impact and the stress on them, bearing in mind that I went in on Christmas day, they couldn't have a Christmas because obviously because of, and it was, especially for my wife, it was very, very, very, very stressful for her. And as you rightly said, they couldn't come to see me at the hospital. And even my brothers and sisters, it was just literally just, and I think this is where Christ comes in. This is we're knowing God. He doesn't say that we're not going to have storm in our

SPEAKER_03:

lives.

SPEAKER_01:

But what he does is that in situations, and I've spoken to them about that, is that God is with us. He gives us that peace. Yeah. So that we can cope with situations. He's not saying that you're not going to go through storm in your life. But what he says is that I will never leave you nor forsake you. And somehow, it makes a way, it makes... It makes things not easy, but easier for you to be able to cope with situations. And sometimes I actually wonder when people go through storm in their lives, when they haven't got God, when they haven't got Christ, how do they actually

SPEAKER_03:

cope?

SPEAKER_01:

Because I personally and my family will tell you, and also what helps as well is that I have a very, very supportive church. When I was in hospital, These people were praying. When I say they were into, because you know, this is another thing. When you yourself, when you're helpless to pray and you got people sitting or in the gap for you and just covering you and asking for God's mercy, God's faithfulness, That to me, that is very, very significant. It's a blessing. That to me, yes, it's honestly, it's a blessing. So with my family, with my church members, because they are part of my family, even though they're not my immediate family, but the more impact, the impact itself, it was really on all my children, my wife, especially my wife, because she had to cope with everything. And even now, I mean, we can look back and laugh about it because I'm not, I'm one of these people I wasn't easy to live with. And when, you know, especially with men, when we have a headache, we think we're dying. I'm glad this

SPEAKER_03:

is going on from the mouth of a man, not a woman saying it.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm being honest with you. I'm being transparent with you. My wife is always saying to me, I mean, Yeah, she will have a headache or she have cold and she gets up 24-7 and she doesn't do anything. When I've got a headache, sorry, you're not getting me to do anything again. It's not that I do much in the house anymore, but you're not getting me to do anything. It's my head. I'm more worried about my head. That head goes away, but I'm not touching anything.

SPEAKER_03:

Oh, dear.

SPEAKER_01:

So, but yeah, but honestly, my family themselves, they were really, really impacted, especially my wife and my children. I really do thank God because to have a family that is very supportive, to have a family that is turning the gap for you. So yes, my family were very impacted. They were very, very supportive.

SPEAKER_03:

So I was reading about dialysis as well. And I understand that there are different types of dialysis. So which one were you on? What type of dialysis and how did you choose the dialysis? The dialysis, was it chosen for you? Was

SPEAKER_01:

the type chosen for you? Yeah, no. My dialysis, I had the option of having a dialysis at home. I had an option of having it at the hospital. Now, I did my research and one of the things, I was a bit apprehensive because it was a new thing to me, a new thing to my family. And one of these things that they give you They give you all different things that you have to do and you have to wake up a certain time and do this. And I just thought to myself, knowing what I'm like, I'm just not going to do that one. So I chose the one that I have to go to a hospital. And so it was easier because the specialist trained nurse themselves They know what to do. The only thing I didn't like, I don't like needles. And every time that you go there, they inject, they put your needles in the same arm. I mean, you want to see my arm now, honestly, it's terrible. And some of the people that have been doing dialysis for a long, long time, you actually see the arm where they put the needles in. And it just looks absolutely, honestly, it looks horrendous. So yeah, I chose the one. uh obviously at the hospital i know there's another one um but i can't remember it now but there was three options but they gave me the options um to say would you like to come to the hospital we would like to have your own dialysis at home and i decided to have that one at home

SPEAKER_03:

okay

SPEAKER_01:

yes

SPEAKER_03:

the one at home

SPEAKER_01:

yeah the one i'm sorry okay so you were going to the hospital okay yeah yeah yeah go to the hospital sorry

SPEAKER_03:

yeah

SPEAKER_01:

yeah okay

SPEAKER_03:

So I wanted to ask you, you said that when they called you to say there was a kidney, there was kidney available and you went in, there were two of you and they said they had to now do a consultation to decide whether to give you one each or what to do. What was going through your mind at that time? Let's be honest. Were you praying that they would give you the two or

SPEAKER_01:

what

SPEAKER_03:

were you thinking?

SPEAKER_01:

Honestly, honestly, honestly. You know something? i am quite um i'm one of these people i'm a big warrior i worry quite a lot any little things i worry but for me to have actually gone to the hospital by myself that in itself was a big thing number one number two when i got to the hospital and they told me that they had to decide and this is the honest truth because i've been very transparent with you i actually said a quiet prayer that God, I just want you to take control of every situation. And that is the honest truth. Because as I said, I took the Uber by myself. I walked to the hospital by myself. So I was pretty aware of everything that was going on before I had the kidney transplant. And even up to the point that when I stood outside and the consultant came in and said, they didn't even know it was me that was going to have this transplant. They thought it was someone else. And then when they then spoke to me and they said, oh, is it you that's having a transplant? I said, yes. So I, and then when he told me that, I just went, honestly, just shut my eyes for about a minute or two minutes. I said, God, just let your will be done because i know nothing i didn't want to do i didn't want to go back home without without having now that because i was already determined i want i wanted to go through with the screening transplant yeah and if they've decided to give it to the other lady they will have to send me back home then i have to wait and then i didn't know what time or when the kidney is going to become available and i just decided i just honestly i just said a quiet prayer to say, God, please just take control. And yes, I'm not kidding you, it's God's supernatural favor. There's nothing else. It's his favor over my life.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank God for his favor. So during this period, were there any scriptures, particular scriptures you were holding on to? What was your spiritual food at that time?

SPEAKER_01:

Good question. Good question. When I was in, When I was in, after I had my transplant, I actually had a very, very weird encounter. Okay. In answer to your question, was there a scripture that was going through my mind? There wasn't. That's being honest with you. Okay. But what had happened was that... I belong, as I think I mentioned this to you before, I belong to an organization called the Gideons. The Gideons? Does that ring a bell? The Gideon. Yeah. The Gideon Bible people. The Gideon Bible people, yeah. And what had happened when after I, I think it was because I was in the hospital for five days for my kidney transplant. The first day I couldn't even, well, I didn't even have the energy to talk or do anything. And then after about two or three days, I sort of got my strength back and I was able to talk to people and walk around. And I just thought I should be, I should witness to someone. So there was a patient whose husband, whose husband was, in the same ward as I was. So I got chatting to this gentleman and I said to him that, look, because at the time what I normally do, I have small Bibles in my bag to give to people. It's like a pocket Bible. So I go chatting to this young, this, this, this, this gentleman. And, and then basically what happened was that when I was speaking to him and I just said to him, look, My wife is coming to the hospital tomorrow. I said, I'll go a Bible to give you. This is no word of a lie, tell her. The man said to me, I don't believe in the Bible, but I speak to dead people. Sorry? Speaks to dead people? He actually communicates with dead people. This is no word of a lie. And I just, I froze when he said that. Bearing in mind, I'm trying to witness to

SPEAKER_03:

this guy

SPEAKER_01:

about God. And this is what he said. And then he said, if you want me to pray for you to heal you, I can do that. I said, no, you're not. i said i have a god that has my prayer and i'm going to pray for me i don't need your healing i don't need your prayer i didn't say like that but i was quite diplomatic yeah um and the worst thing about it i was lying on my bed on the hospital bed and this gentleman was standing over me

SPEAKER_03:

okay

SPEAKER_01:

when you took it and he said if i look into your eyes he said i can i can read this and i i i really honestly this is no more scary I was very, very scared. And this is when God came into it. This is when I started, because at the time I had a Bible with me, which I read, but I had books with me, Christian books that I was reading. But then when I heard this from this guy, I had to cry to God to say, God, I need your help. This is not, this is spiritual warfare. Not only am I recovering from this hospital, from two kidney transplants that I've just had. Now I've got these people standing, I've got this man standing in front of me and tell him, this is honestly, this is for the honor of God. This is for his glory. The conversation was between me and this gentleman. Okay. I was in an open world where, four or five other people were in. I said a quick prayer to God and I said, God, that no weapon that is formed against me or my family in Jesus' mighty name, they shall never prosper. Lord, I just need your help to cover me under your precious blood. I've had this encounter. You know my mind. You know what I'm doing. What I'm just trying to do is to talk to this guy about God. And I was Honestly, I was worried. I was scared because I don't have anything else apart from God to go

SPEAKER_03:

to.

SPEAKER_01:

And anyway, tell it. You will not believe what happened. The following day, the nurses came to me and moved me from that room without them knowing anything and put me into a room of my own.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank God.

SPEAKER_01:

So that when the man came back, because he had his wife, that was at the hospital, that was having treatment. And this man, this woman was, I don't know what the problem is, I don't know what the issue was, but she was literally psychotic, I don't know what she was, I don't know, even up to the point that her children, the man's children actually spoke to one of the sisters that they didn't want this man to be coming to the hospital to see their mum.

SPEAKER_03:

Wow,

SPEAKER_01:

so they had a horrible influence. Yeah, because there was just something about him that they reckon that it contributed to this woman's deterioration of her health. So that was an encounter. So in answer to your question, what happened was then that that incident in itself, not so much, even though I know that I've just gone through my kidney transplant, that incident for me, it was more scary than, because what I say was more scary. Obviously, if you're going through transplant, You're on, what do you call it? They put you to sleep. You don't know what is going on. So subconsciously, you don't know nothing. You just have your operation. You wake up. But this is something that I could see that was happening. That was spiritual warfare. That is strong. But at the end of it, I serve a living God. A God that's more powerful than any other God. Because he said that greater is he that's in me than he that's in this world. And if God is for me, It doesn't matter what the enemy does. He said, no hair of my hair will be touched without my father's

SPEAKER_03:

content.

SPEAKER_01:

So let God give permission to anybody to touch him. No weapon that's formed against us, spiritually, financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally, they shall never prosper. And so for me, that in itself, I mean, honestly, it's God's grace that I am talking to you. It's God's grace that has saved me. It's God's grace that I've been able to have double kidney transplant. Even now, because I still have to go to the hospital, they have to do a scan to make sure everything. You know, the doctors, when I'm having the scan, they ask me the question, how come you've got two kidneys?

SPEAKER_03:

This

SPEAKER_01:

is at the hospital. They're asking me, how come you've got two kidneys? And I just put my hand to God. I said, yes. Ask him. I haven't decided. It's his favor over my life.

SPEAKER_03:

His favor. His mercy.

SPEAKER_01:

His grace. His grace. His mercy. Because even now, as I said, I've got an appointment next Wednesday for my blood test. And then I've got a face-to-face consultation with my consultant in about two, three weeks' time. Every time I go there, if there's a scan, People are asking me, because majority of the people, I'm one of these people, I'm quite friendly with. I talk to everybody, everybody. And I ask them, they say, oh, when did you have your kidney? I tell them, and how many kidneys did you have? Two. They say, how come you got two kidneys? People's families are having to donate kidneys for them because there's no donor for the NHS. And here I am today with two kidneys.

SPEAKER_03:

We

SPEAKER_01:

give God praise. It's God's praise. It's all glory to God. It's not about me. It's all about

SPEAKER_03:

him. So the recovery time after the transplant, how long did that take for you to get back to yourself again?

SPEAKER_01:

Good question. That took me five months. Five to six months. I mean, they actually thought that it should take me three months. But because of the job that I do, I work in finance and If I was doing a manual job, then it would have probably taken me longer. But altogether, it took me five months and I was able to sit because even now I'm working from home most of the time. I haven't been back to the office for over a year. So I've been working from home. So that recovery period. And also one of the things is that my family have been instrumental in that recovery period. Having a family... that is quite willing to go beyond everything else. That in itself helped me. And also because I'm one of these people, I don't want to be, I don't like relying on people too much. I like to do, it's quite frustrating when you want to do certain things and you can't do it and you have to rely. And then it was taking its toll on my wife that even one day she broke down and she said, look, This is just getting too much. You need to do things yourself. And when your wife starts telling you, they're at the end of their teeth. Yes, yes. It was really, really because, I mean, I'm one of these people, as I said, when I was in bed, I used to just, not literally flip my finger, you know, but she'd bring me breakfast in bed, she'd bring me lunch in bed, and I was enjoying it. So I was making most of it.

SPEAKER_03:

Oh, I hope you've taken her on a holiday now to pay her back for all of this.

SPEAKER_01:

Well, the only thing about the holiday, because I've had this kidney transplant, even it was over a year, I've been told that I cannot travel abroad

SPEAKER_03:

after

SPEAKER_01:

a year.

UNKNOWN:

I even saw my consultant, I saw my consultant two weeks ago and I asked him, I said, is he okay now to go on holiday? He said, no.

SPEAKER_01:

So they will have to tell me. And this is applicable to most people that have kidney transplant. Okay, I didn't know that. Yeah, and one of the reasons why they do that as well is because, obviously, you've had a major operation. If anything was to happen abroad, then it might probably, not that they haven't gone to hospital abroad, but they have your history, they know what they've done. So I think it's just for precautionary reasons. That's why they always say to you to do this. yeah so yeah okay

SPEAKER_03:

yeah so wanted i've always wanted to ask people this um would you donate would you ever donate any of your organs

SPEAKER_01:

again uh will i donate now no before i'm again this is i'm going to be only i'm going to try this with you i said there's no way i'm donating my kidney i've said that before i actually said that i'm glad you asked that i said to my youngest son before I actually had a donor. I said to my youngest son, now that I need a donor, would you donate your kidney? And he said, dad, the only way I'm going to donate my kidney to you is if you buy me a car. Just a car? That's my own flesh and blood.

SPEAKER_03:

He wants a payment for it.

SPEAKER_01:

He wants a payment for it. Whereas, you see, this is what I mean, my nurse don't enable, because the, which is quite, it's quite, I wouldn't say peculiar, my nurse don't enable, who are English, their son actually had a kidney transplant from his sister. So his sister actually donated a kidney. to the brother. And that was about 10, 15 years ago. And the guy knew, it's a pilot flying aeroplane. And in answer to your question, will I now donate? Absolutely, I will donate. But before I had my kidney transplant, because I suppose it's out of ignorance. I was reluctant to say, because I said, nobody, I said, when I'm dead, I'm dead. I just want, I don't want people touching me and this and that, which is just ignorant. But I haven't seen and I haven't gone through what I've gone through. Absolutely. And I will encourage anyone to actually donate. Because at the end of the day, when you're gone, your organs are still there. And if you can be useful, listen, if, and again, in answer to your question, I mean, I thank God for his mercy. for his faithfulness. But just think about it. If there are no donors, will I still be alive? Someone's kidney is in my body now. If that person had not donated their kidney when they passed away, I know we have the grace of God, but come on, what would have happened? I know nothing is impossible with God. So for me, I have to be thankful to God for using that person to be able to donate their kidney. Because as I said, there's loads of people on the waiting list that are waiting for kidney transplant. And without a kidney transplant, and without a donor, you can't have a kidney transplant. That's just, so I would encourage anyone. And one of the other things I've even noticed that, As I said, people actually just can actually live with one

SPEAKER_03:

kidney.

SPEAKER_01:

And you hear stories of families. There's someone at the hospital that I go to, an Asian man. He didn't have it. Well, he couldn't get any done on the waiting list. And so he went to India and his brother in India actually donated one of his kidney to him. And that's how he had his operation. So yes, I would definitely encourage people to actually donate their kidney.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank you for saying that. That is really, really good to hear. Adam, we're already close to the end of the show today. Thank you so, so much for sharing your story with us. I always like to end this show on the note of hope. So what would you like to say to anybody out there who's probably going through something like this or anything similar or health challenge what would you like to say to people out there just to give them some kind of hope

SPEAKER_01:

yeah basically uh my advice uh because honestly that is just part of the story i've told you yeah i i'm not a young man um i'm getting on in life and um all i just want to encourage you it doesn't matter what situations that you're going through honestly We serve a living God. We serve a God that is the one that creates us. And sometimes when things might look impossible, honestly, just trust God. God uses people. God makes a way in each of our lives to bring things for anyone, for everybody. And honestly, I'm not just saying it. Look, as I said before, We have challenges. Look, even our Lord Jesus Christ, he had challenges that he had to overcome. But he put his trust in God.

SPEAKER_03:

And

SPEAKER_01:

so who are we if the son of the living God, if he himself went through trials and tribulations to go through it? So my advice to anyone that is going through difficult times at this time, is put your trust in God. Nothing, our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly, more than we ever know or ask of

SPEAKER_03:

him.

SPEAKER_01:

And I'll tell you now, God uses anybody and everybody for, because you have to understand, God is a creator. Yes, he's our creator. So even the nurses, even the doctors that are not Christian, God can use them to carry out his work for you. So never, never, never, never lose hope. Whatever you go through, honestly, I am a living testimony of what God can do. It's not about me. And another thing is that this person that you're speaking to today, Peter, yeah, oh, look at me. I am far from being perfect. I'm a work in progress. Every day, I commit sins for God because of his grace, because of his mercy. So I like to encourage anyone that's going through stuff, never give up hope.

SPEAKER_03:

Never

SPEAKER_01:

give up hope. Go to God. Never, never give up hope. Take, he said, bring your request to me. That's what the Bible tells us. Take it to God and let God's will to be done. I know, look, We are all wonderfully and beautifully made. And honestly, I'm just making sure that you can see. I can hear you clearly. So honestly, because for me, one of the things that's taking me through all of this is having that peace of God, that whatever happens, I know that God is in control. And I don't know how I would have gone through it without having God in my life. And honestly, and that's not just saying it. Honestly, I've lived it. I'm a living testimony. I'm only standing here by His

SPEAKER_03:

grace

SPEAKER_01:

and by His

SPEAKER_03:

faithfulness.

SPEAKER_01:

So I just encourage you, please, please, please. I just encourage you to just draw close to God and he will draw close to you. And our God is able to supply all of our needs. That's what the Bible says. All of our needs are according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You know, one of the things that I've discovered in my life, that God is interested in every single area of our life, not the major operation, everyday stuff. Even for example, I mean, I tell you this now, I lose my keys and I can't find it. All I just do is say, God, I need your help. Once you put that faith in God, you'll be surprised what God can do. And that is my experience. And just before you end, yesterday, before our Easter program at church, before I left the house, I thought to myself, it's going to be nice. And something just whispered to me. take your jacket with you. I know people think that's insignificant, but normally when I go, I don't, sometimes I either wear my jacket. I don't, I don't normally just take it if I'm not wearing it. I wear it to church. But this time I was going out and someone said, take your jacket. And I just listened to that small voice. I didn't wear the jacket. I put it in the back of my car. So I go to church and, And I was supposed to be doing something, but that thing that I was supposed to be doing, it wasn't taking place inside the church. I was asked to do another job outside for three, four hours. And that's when the jacket comes in. If I hadn't listened to God, I know this one thing, honestly, trust me, it's just a jacket. What's the significance of that? The reason why I'm telling you this is that God is interested in every aspect

SPEAKER_03:

of my life.

SPEAKER_01:

Just leave it to him and just put you in the kingdom of God and his righteousness. and all the other things will be added onto

SPEAKER_03:

us.

SPEAKER_01:

So thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank you. Thank you so, so much. I really, really appreciate your time and for coming on here. And you've all heard it, just trust in God, put your hope in God and just know that God is more than able and trust him for his grace to take us through every situation that we're going through. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much, Uncle Peter. And yeah. We'll get you back on the show sometime soon for something else. Thank you

SPEAKER_01:

very much for having me. Yeah, thank you so much. Thank you for your encouragement. Thank you for your prayer. And I pray that God will continue to use you for his honor and for his glory. That Lord Jesus will continue to bless you abundantly. You and your family. Amen. You're doing a fantastic job. Amen. Thank you. Because what you're doing, you're encouraging other people and honestly, keep on doing the good work and for his glory, for his honor. So I thank you very, very much. Amen. Thank you so much. Take care. And God bless. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03:

Bye-bye. Thank you all so much for listening in and hopefully you'll be with us again sometime soon. Take care and God bless.