WATCH: An update on the story of Terry and Greta Picard. Elaine Yong reports.
VANCOUVER – Earlier this year, Terry Picard discovered the kidney donor he desperately needed had been right next to him for over 30 years.
His wife Greta decided to get tested as Terry’s health deteriorated, and it turned out they were a match.
In August, they traveled from their Nanaimo home to Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital for the surgery.
Three months later, Terry is back to the life he had before his kidneys failed him.
“It’s amazing to see how much energy he has,” said Greta, who was out of the hospital three days after the surgery.
“He can walk up and down the apartment and not be short of breath, he’s walking around without a cane.”
WATCH: Elaine Yong spoke to the couple right after the transplant
It wasn’t easy for Terry. He had an allergic reaction to a muscle relaxant during surgery – and while recovering had a heart attack.
But Greta came to visit him every week, and three weeks ago he was sent home.
“Compared to the last eight years, I feel free,” he says.
“I felt like I was doing a prison term to tell you the truth.”
More than 300 British Columbians are waiting for a kidney transplant, and B.C. Transplant encourages living donors to come forward.
“The outcome from living donor transplants are significantly better than outcomes from deceased donors, especially in the long term,” says Dr. David Landsberg of St. Paul’s Nephrology Division.
READ MORE: Last year St. Paul’s celebrated their 2000th kidney transplant
It’s brought the Picard’s closer together – in more ways than one.
“What do you say? Thank you? I’m blessed,” said Terry.
“I’m not going anywhere without her. She wouldn’t let me anyway.”
– With files from Elaine Yong
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