​EXCLUSIVE

by Aline Nassif

aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk

When Mandi Chillery and Eric Douglin tie the knot next year they won't have any problem with the idea of "what's yours is mine".

Because they are already sharing more than most married couples - as Mandi has given one of her kidneys to her husband-to-be.

The couple have returned to work this week after an extraordinary journey of sacrifice and love.

Business analyst Mandi, 38, said: "I am so happy I gave Eric the chance of a healthy and normal life.

"Everything seemed brighter the day I was told my kidney was compatible.

"The chances of that being the case were pretty slim and I do believe we came together for a reason - it was fate."

Mandi was aware of Eric's seven-year fight with kidney disease when they started dating in December 2006.

However, things took a turn for the worse two years into their relationship, when Eric's condition became "chronic" and doctors said he needed a transplant within five to 10 years.

When he was examined again in March last year, doctors advised a transplant within three years.

Mandi said: "My first instinct was 'can I give him a kidney?', but Eric wasn't happy because he didn't want the guilt of putting me through an operation that could put my life and my health at risk.

"But I didn’t pay any attention to him - my mind was made up."

Mandi soon learnt she shared Eric's blood type and then underwent six months of tests to ensure the kidney would not be rejected.

The former Archbishop Tenison's student, who has spent most of her life in Croydon but now lives in Bromley, said: "As far as I was concerned I had a simple choice - an operation and a bit of discomfort or sentencing Eric to dialysis for the rest of his life.

"For him that would mean several hospital visits a week lasting the whole day, losing his job, living a shadow of his former life, and probably dying before his years.

"I wasn’t going to let him go through that pain if I had the tools to help."

Mandi and Eric, 46, were operated on at Guy’s Hospital, in London, on January 15.

Eric suffered a complication in the operating theatre and was in intensive care for a day, and Mandi developed a serious infection a week later.

But they recovered and today they can look back with gratitude that the ordeal is over.

Eric, who also works as a business analyst, said: "I can't put into words just how grateful I am - Mandi literally saved my life.

"She is a modest girl and always tells me 'anyone would do the same' but that’s just not true.

"When I was in hospital I met a lot of people waiting for transplants, whose own flesh and blood would not part with their kidneys.

"Mandi is not only my soulmate, but she is my saviour and I love her so much."

*Mandi’s dad Derrick Scot will be shaving his hair, beard and eyebrows at the Claret Free House pub in Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, from 2pm on Sunday, to raise money for Kidney Research UK.

If you cannot attend but want to make a donation visit www.kidneyresearchukevents.org/EricDouglin.