16-year-old Nagihan Colak’s health problems started when she was born. Nagihan, who was born with a knot in the esophagus and windpipe, was given a 5% chance of life but she decided to hold on to life. Later she started struggling with kidney disease.
Nagihan Çolak, a Kidney Recipient,
“I was aware of everything even though I was very young”
I have had many operations since my birth. My first operation was to unbend my windpipe and esophagus. My next operation was due to a coin that slipped into my throat when I was 6 years old. Later, I had an operation called “VUR” (Vesico Ureteral Reflux) 3 times to close the hole in my kidney. And now I had my last surgery with the transplant. Although I was young, I was aware of everything. I trusted Prof. Yalçın and his team’s experiences. And most importantly, I’ve never lost my positive thinking.
“We went to the doctor because of my abdominal pain that I experienced at school”
My illness arose during the 7th grade. When I got sick due to abdominal pain at school, we went to the doctor and had tests and examinations. First, I had “VUR” surgeries. However, my dialysis process started as the kidney became unable to work in time. I couldn’t gain weight, walk or run. It felt like I couldn’t live my childhood. Not being able to ride the bike was the most upsetting thing for me. It seemed like a punishment for me not to drink coke and eat chips.
“Some restrictions seemed like punishments to me”
After my kidney disease emerged, I had to attend school from outside upon finishing the 8th grade. I didn’t think about dropping out of school for a moment. Although I have been on dialysis for 10 hours a day, I am studying from outside, and now I am in high school. My goal is to be a good literature teacher. I work for this.
“My first visit to Istanbul was for transplantation”
I have been dreaming of coming to Istanbul for years. When I just had the opportunity to come; my dialysis situation emerged and Istanbul has become a dream for me. During the dialysis process, I was feeling very bad. My life was connected to an outlet. It was like I couldn’t live without electricity. Then coming to Istanbul for the transplant; I lived both the happiness of seeing Istanbul and the happiness of attaining my health.
“Yücel Çolak, who gave her kidney to her daughter”
My daughter suffered a lot because of the operations that she had since she was young. When I learned that she had a disorder and that her treatment was a transplantation, my wife and I became donors without thinking. We were excited while waiting for the eligibility result. Thinking that ours might not fit, we entered the cadaver list. Her mother was not a suitable donor because she was a carrier of Hepatitis B. When I saw that my kidney was fitting, I said “I would sacrifice my life for my daughter” and gave my kidney for transplantation without thinking. After all, she was already a part of me. It is the greatest happiness for us to see our daughter healthy now.
“The doctor who performed the liver transplant, the head of Memorial Ataşehir Hospital Organ Transplant Department Prof. Yalcin Polat”
Nagihan had congenital urinary tract disease; that is, she had reflux (vesicoureteral reflux). Kidneys were not in normal position. Over time, it became inoperable. She was living a life dependent on peritoneal dialysis. As a result of the examinations and analyzes made, we saw that; his father’s kidney was suitable for Nagihan. By making the necessary preparations immediately; We successfully performed the transplant after 1-1.5 hours of operation. As soon as the kidney was attached, the organ began to function. Only hours after performing the surgery, Nagihan was already standing up.