Seventeen years on… “And baby makes three…”

My daughter, Hannah, and I were part of the Parish trip to Bruges over August Bank Holiday. You may have read elsewhere in ‘Contact’ about our very enjoyable visit. Hannah and I tried a variety of forms of transport including horse-drawn carriage, canal boat and especially walking (up and down the 366 steps of the Bell Tower!) We also visited the Chocolate Museum, the Tin-Tin Shop, several churches and the Beguinage Convent, and ate frites, waffles, baguettes and chocolates.

However, for Hannah and I the highlight and main purpose of our visit was to meet with Patrick, my bone-marrow recipient. Some of you will remember that I donated my bone-marrow to Patrick, then a 25 year old man from Antwerp, in October 1991, through the Anthony Nolan Trust. Patrick and I were eventually to meet in March 1997 after Patrick had undergone even more major difficulties. We have remained in contact ever since and I have given talks and raised funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

It is always exciting to meet Patrick and his partner, Katia. But even more exciting was the thought of seeing Janina, their baby daughter, born 4^th August 2008, weighing 6lbs 2oz, just three weeks before our trip. Patrick had only told us of her imminent arrival in June!

Medical science can be wonderful in many respects and none more so than this – the fact that through IVF, seventeen years after his treatment and transplant for leukaemia, Patrick has become a father.

Patrick and Katia now live in Wingene, a small rural village 12 miles from Bruges, on a new housing estate. Katia is a primary school teacher and Patrick does some voluntary work, plans to retrain, and also care for Janina.

Patrick came to our hotel in Bruges and drove Hannah and myself to Wingene, where we met Katia and tiny, beautiful Janina. We spent a wonderful day with them, exchanging presents catching up on all our news, especially about Janina’s arrival. There was also plenty of time for cuddling Janina! On arriving back in Bruges Patrick took Hannah and I on a horse-drawn carriage ride, with a friend of his at the reins. Then it was time to say goodbye until next time.

Becoming a father has been another life-changing experience for Patrick. Now he has a small person to care for and to call his own. Patrick is in very good health and only takes medication during the Winter as he is prone to infections. The only sadness is that Patrick’s father, Joseph, is not here to share in this happiness, as he sadly died in March 2004.

Patrick still reminds me that I gave him “the most beautiful thing that anyone can give: life”. Now Patrick has given this to Janina and the gift has come full circle.

The work of the Anthony Nolan Trust continues, with the register now numbering almost 390,000 people, and in 2007 663 patients worldwide received a potentially lifesaving bone marrow transplant. You can join the register between 18 – 40 years and donate bone marrow up to 60 years old. If you would like to know more or are interested in helping with fundraising through the Hitchin Friends of the Trust please contact me.

Finally, thank you to so many for your prayers and thoughts for Patrick and I over the years. Little did I imagine that seventeen years on Patrick would have his own family to love and care for. God certainly moves in wonderful and mysterious ways.

Mary Goose