Moncton motorbike buddies recovering after kidney transplant

Less than two weeks after donating his kidney to a friend, Troy Hebert of Moncton says he's feeling good.
So good, he's itching to get back to work.

"I'm bored," he said with a laugh. "I'm not the type just to sit around. I'm always doing something, so it's all going ahead of schedule."

Hebert's friend Tom Mckay, who also lives in Moncton, suffers from polycystic kidney disease and was tied to dialysis several times a week.

Mckay had to give up his motorcycle, a passion he and Hebert share.

Hebert says he originally decided to be tested to rule himself out as a potential donor but he turned out to be a perfect match.

Hebert says it wasn't an easy decision, but once he made up his mind there was no turning back.

A year and a half later, he and Mckaywere ready for surgery.

"I've got the chance to change somebody's life you know, so that was pretty cool."

Surgery took place Sept.7 at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax Mckay's15th wedding anniversary.

Hebert says he felt a bit jittery before the surgery.

"The night before, not much rest for me to be honest," said Hebert. "Fear wasn't the thing, it was just like nerves.

"It took me some time to get up on my feet. It wasn't until lateFridayafternoon and I tried walking and I had to come back and I finally made it to his room and I saw him. It was hard it was hard to keep the tears back."

New lease on life

Tom Mckay says he's doing well.

"Having a new kidney means the world," he said, adding he's been kept busy with appointments during the delicate post-transplant three-month "danger zone."

"After that, the world is my oyster."

Mckayis out of the hospital butstill in Halifax, where his progress is being monitored.

Hebert says his recovery has been smooth.

"They told me I'd be laid up for like a week to a week and a half ... that lasted four days," he said. "I've been off pain meds from theMondayfollowing so I think I'm doing above average.

"I've gotten in trouble from the girlfriend for doing stuff ... riding my motorcycle. I guess she doesn't think I should."

Hebert says the decision to donate his kidney was personal, to help a friend. But he'd like to see more people become living donors.

"Everybody says, 'Gee, I'd give anything to have him around again,'" he said. "So for people in that situation it's an easy decision. You just give what you got. Now Tom and I will go on bike rides again someday, and he'll be able to carry on with a more normal life. He's not restricted to dialysis three days a week."