Scots mum saves son's life by donating kidney after covid ruins transplant hopes

A Scots mum saved her seriously ill son's life by donating one of her kidneys after a positive coronavirus test ruined all chances of him receiving a transplant from another donor.

Josh Houston, 25, was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2017 - a disease that attacks the kidneys and limits their functions.

Fit and healthy Josh went from running up to 50 miles a week to not being able to exercise at all after he became ill.His kidney function had dropped to just 33 per cent and he was placed on a rigorous diet which excluded salt and alcohol to slow the deterioration.Last October Josh was in hospital with gout when he got a call to say a match was found from a deceased donor.But he tested positive for covid while in hospital and surgeons had to call off the op, with the kidney being donated to someone else.Railway engineer Josh has now been gifted a new lease of life from his hero mum Michelle Houston, 48, who stepped in to give him a kidney.Mum-of-three Michelle, from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, gave her son a kidney on December 17 last year after she was found to be a perfect match.It was transplanted to Josh after a lengthy process which involved background checks and psychological examinations.The pair are now both at home recovering well and Josh's body is responding to his new kidney.Josh, from Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, said: "I was first diagnosed in July 2017 after being unwell for a very long time."I went from running up to 50 miles per week to nothing."It's been difficult adapting my whole life."I had to cook entirely from scratch to ensure I knew exactly what I was eating and could only have a 'treat' meal maybe once per month."I lost lots of weight as I wasn't sure what I could eat, so I had to be