A mum with a life-threatening kidney disease has been saved by her best friend’s organ donation after they discovered they were a perfect match.
Misty Brooks, 42, was given the heartbreaking news that one of her kidneys was failing in January 2022.
But then best friend Megan Carpenter, 33, who Misty met in a Harry Potter fan group, secretly got tested in April this year.
- Advertisement -
She was shocked to discover they were the closest match outside of a relative and she surprised Misty with the news on her birthday in April.
Misty and Megan had the surgery on Tuesday (Dec 3).
The operations were successful and they’re both recovering at home.
“We aren’t best friends anymore, we’re sisters and I’ll do everything I can to take care of the kidney she donated,” mum-of-four Misty told What’s the Jam.
“Words can’t fully express the depth of my gratitude for the incredible gift she’s given me.
- Advertisement -
“She’s not only changed my life, she’s saved it.
“Her selflessness, kindness and courage leaves me in awe and I’m so blessed to call her my best friend.
‘I always knew she was special but I didn’t know that our friendship would grow into something lifechanging.
- Advertisement -
“The fact that she was willing to give me a second chance at life by donating her kidney is a testament to the incredible person she is.
“I’ll live life to the fullest and cherish every moment she’s made possible for me.”
The pair, both from Houston, Texas, met in a Harry Potter fan group chat in 2018 and had so much in common that they wanted to meet in person.
They say they clicked straight away and went on family holidays together.
Misty says she couldn’t be more grateful to Megan for saving her life.
And mum-of-one Megan said she wanted to give Misty more time with her children.
Megan said: “We met just by chance in a chat for Disney and Harry Potter fans in 2018 and just hit it off really well.
“The more we talked the more we realized we had in common.
“Now she’s my best friend, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.
“I’ve always felt like we were put in each other’s lives for a reason.”
Oil and gas supply chain management employee Misty was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease 20 years ago.
In 2022, her kidney function dropped to 19 per cent.
She was told if she didn’t find a donor soon, she would need to start dialysis which she desperately wanted to avoid.
Misty said: “My kidney wasn’t functioning normally and my body was running on toxins.
“I tried to keep myself active but my legs were swollen, I was in pain because I had a build up of acid around the joints that the kidneys are supposed to push out.
“I was constantly tired and had brain fog.
“It was life and death. If I didn’t get a kidney or go on dialysis I would die.
“I decided to go for the transplant.
“Anxiety set in when I realised that if it didn’t work, I’d have to go on dialysis. It was scary.
“When you’re on dialysis, you have to get sicker to go up the list. It’s grim.
‘I had more fear about going on dialysis than I did about having the surgery.
“When we found out Megan was a direct match, we both cried. The doctors said that it was as good as it could be without being a relative.”
Executive assistant Megan added: “I saw the impact the disease was having on her health and quality of life, especially in the last couple years as her function really started to decline.
“I knew a transplant would give her more years with her children and give her back the ability to really live and enjoy life, not just exist feeling terrible all the time.
“I honestly never expected to be a direct match.
“It was a very happy miracle that I turned out to be able to directly donate to her.
“I was at work when I got the call, and at first I was shocked.
“Then it really hit me, and I cried because I was so happy that I was really going to be able to give her this gift.”
Misty says she reassured Megan that if she wanted to change her mind, it wouldn’t ruin their friendship but Megan was determined to save her friend’s life.
Misty said: “When it was getting close to the surgery and she was getting anxious, I told her that if she wanted to back out, it wouldn’t change anything between us. It’s a big ask.”
Megan added: “I was extremely nervous before the surgery.
“There are the regular risks of a major surgery of course but there were two of us going into this, not just me.
“And I was so worried the kidney wouldn’t work for some reason.
“There were a lot of ‘what ifs’ going through my head.
“At the same time, I had no doubt about going through with the surgery. I had complete faith in our teams, and it just felt like I was meant to do this.”
Misty is in anti-rejection management but plans to go back to work remotely in January.
She said: “We’re both recovering well.
“I’m here for her as she recovers and we’ll face it together.
“The future feels amazing. I can make plans.”
Megan added: “I get emotional when I think about it because I know how quickly her health was declining as we got closer to surgery.
“It feels surreal but absolutely amazing, especially because of how quickly the kidney started working.
“Within hours there was already a difference in her labs, and I felt a huge sense of relief.
“I never actually thought about any of the attention I would get from doing this when I decided to do it.”
READ MORE: Doctor claims heavy patients may be scanned at ZOO due to ‘weight restrictions’
