SAVED BY STRANGERS

Thousands of lives in the UK are transformed each year thanks to the selfless gift of organ donation

- FRANCESCA WOODSTOCK

'I deteriorated so quickly

Lisa Woodcock, 38, lives in Devon with her husband Justin, 50.

As I watched my sister exchange vows with her new husband, I held back tears. "Congratulations,' I mouthed with a smile. It was October 2021 and I was a bridesmaid for Kelly, then 42. It was of course emotional seeing my big sister get married, but it was more than that - I'd been so ill, I was worried I wouldn't make it to see the big day.

Eighteen months earlier, I was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), an autoimmune disease that affects the liver. It started with an intense itching sensation, which prickled my skin.

I changed my washing powder, shampoo, and diet, but nothing eased the discomfort.

Then a blood test revealed I had PBC.

At first, I was relieved. Although it was not hereditary, my um had the same condition - a prescription had managed her condition for more than 20 years.

But further tests revealed mine was an aggressive variant, called ductopenia - it was destroying the small bile ducts.

I spent eight weeks in and out of the hospital. My skin itched deep beneath the surface and scratching left it bleeding. My liver was failing. No medication worked.

'You'll need to go on the transplant list,' my consultant said.

It was shocking, but I deteriorated quickly. As months passed, my skin turned yellow, I lost 2nd, and with all the itching I barely slept.

I had a good career in the veterinary industry, but it was too difficult to work. I was devastated not to do the job I loved but my husband Justin and our dogs, Reggie and Brodie, helped keep my spirits up.