AN EAST Lothian dad saved his son’s life by challenging a health diagnosis and urging him to get a second opinion.

Michael Horne, from East Linton, knew that something was seriously wrong with his 23-year-old son Luke when he saw his skin turn grey and his face and feet become swollen and puffy.

On first seeking medical advice, Luke was told the cause could be Covid-19 and he was advised to rest and take paracetamol; however, Michael insisted that his son visit his GP.

Michael said: “Thank God I did. Luke was in end stage kidney failure.

“We were told he was close to dying. Without that second opinion, he may not be here for me to tell this story.

“It has been a whirlwind to get our heads round. He was a healthy, typical young lad and nearly died, yet none of us had a clue. It hit from out of nowhere.”

Luke, a mechanic, spent five days in intensive care and another two weeks in a high dependency unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh before he was allowed home.

The family are now grateful for the little things – such as the fact that Luke got to hospital in time to find out that his kidneys were at just five per cent function, and that his mum Elaine will hopefully be able to donate a kidney to save her son’s life.

Michael said: “Luke was so sick that a consultant at hospital told us he would be better at the nearby specialist kidney unit at the Royal Infirmary, a 10-minute drive away.

“They didn’t want to risk blue-lighting him there as they worried he would go into cardiac arrest in the ambulance and die.

“That’s how close we were to losing Luke.

“His blood pressure was off the scale. Yet I had driven him to the hospital and he was in fine spirits, chatting and laughing as he always does – no clue of how sick he was. Unbelievable.”

Luke is unsure if kidney failure caused him to suffer high blood pressure or if it was the other way round. A biopsy has not given any clear answers.

Since his kidney failure, Luke has switched to healthy eating and has completely cut out energy drinks, as he wonders if they played a part in impairing his kidney function.

Luke said: “It was a bit of a shock to suddenly be so ill, but I can’t change it, so instead take each day as it comes and get on with it.”

Luke currently juggles his mechanic job alongside three hospital visits a week for four-hour-long dialysis sessions at the Royal Infirmary.

He returned to work as soon as he had received his first Covid-19 vaccination.

The family do know, however, that Luke will benefit from future research, as they have quickly learned that a kidney transplant may not last for the rest of his life.

Michael said: “Luke is a determined young man so carries on as if nothing is wrong.

"We know the life of a donated kidney is limited so he will probably need another transplant in his lifetime.

“Like most people, we had no idea about kidney transplants or dialysis. We knew nothing of kidney disease or how it can impact out of the blue. We have had to learn fast. Research is key to make life better for people like Luke.”

The family have an overwhelming desire to give back to the kidney community and create something positive for others after feeling stunned that their son became so ill with no warning.

So to help fund research, Michael is taking on a 75-mile charity bike ride with Luke’s best friend from primary school, Liam Ross Campbell, 24, cycling in the Tour O’ The Borders, a five-hour event due to take place on September 5.

Elaine took part in this year’s Kiltwalk event. Between her walk and the upcoming bike ride, they will have raised more than £3,000 for Kidney Research UK.

Luke said: "It’s great to see dad doing the bike ride with my best mate Liam – just wish I could be part of it!"

Michael added: “There’s not an awful lot else we can do other than help raise money for research to make life better for people like Luke.

“It’s a humbling statistic to realise how bad kidney disease is – 850 million people in the world suffering. We wanted to do our bit to help.”

For more information, visit www.kidneyresearchuk.org or to get involved in helping fund research, visit kidneyresearchuk.org/fundraising-events/the-850challenge