Read Lotu's story in Tongan here. 
 

English Translation:

My name is Feofaaki He Lotu Kofe.

I am 58 years old from the Island the Kingdom of Tonga.

I moved to the new land of Aotearoa NZ in 1987. I got really sick with a high temperature, weak body and dizziness. The Doctors in Tonga did a lot of tests and found out my kidneys were failing.

At the time when we received the results, the only thought on my family’s mind was that I am going to die soon.

They asked a lot of questions about what needed to be done. The Doctor in Tonga suggested they send me to NZ for treatment because they did not have any treatment for me in Tonga.

I travelled to NZ with my mum's sister and it was the hardest time for me leaving home not knowing what was  going to happen to me, but I left knowing that we do have a living God with me.

My mum's last words to me before I hopped on the boat to go is that ‘you will be okay.’

We arrived safely in NZ and the very next day we went to my first appointment.

The shocking news of the results came and the Doctor told me is that I only had six months to live. My aunty was crying but I didn't cry because I was thinking that if God knows that I still have any use in this world to continue on, then surely he will give me another chance.

So we made contact with my family in Tonga to let them know of my results.

My uncle (Uluti Uata) wanted me to ask the Doctor for any other options for me so we can give it a try.

The Doctor told me there is a treatment called dialysis but I have to pay because I am not a permanent resident. My uncle Uliti Uata made contact with the Church of the Latter Day Saints and they agreed to pay for my dialysis.

My aunty was supposed to go back to Tonga but my parents told her to stay with me so I can continue trying.

To cut the story short my parents came over and the rest of my family stayed back with my mum's other sister.

I started dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant.  My second brother who was studying in Hawaii at the time heard about my situation so he tried to reach out because the doctors said that my best option is if anyone in my family matches mine then I can have the transplant.

My parents and my older brother were tested but they were not approved because of their diabetes and high blood pressure. They needed someone who was healthy and who did not have any health issues.

My brother in Hawaii heard about this and so he flew over and did all the tests.  The doctor said that he's my match and he was willing to have the operation to give me one of his kidneys for me to live on.

It was one of the biggest sacrifices that my brother had done for me and everything was prepared for our operations to go through. I was only on dialysis for only 3 months and then transplant.

Everything went well since I had the transplant in 1987. It has been 37 years since the transplant and I am still alive, even though my kidney is slowly coming to an end and they are now looking at me to going back on dialysis. Thirty seven years is a longtime.

Ever since my transplant I've always kept up with my appointments and taken my medications every day. A year after my operation,  I got married and we had one daughter.

My husband passed away and our daughter got married and I now have 6 Grandchildren.

I thank my heavenly father for his blessings upon me and my health.

My heartfelt thanks to my mother's sister for the huge sacrifice she did by bringing me over to NZ and also being with me during the time I went through my tests  and everything.

Huge thanks to my uncle Uliti Uata's family, the Church of the Latter Day Saints for the financial help which made which made a big difference to my recovery.

To my extended families your prayers, love and help I thank you. To my Mum and Dad, even though you have passed on, I am grateful for the sacrifice you made for me.

My special thanks to my siblings for your love and support with everything you have helped out with.

Lastly and not the least I thank my brother Viliami Vea for your love and the huge sacrifice you have done for me that I am able to live for 37 years and I am truly grateful for.

Even though I am going back to dialysis, 37 year's of my life journey with the transplant is a lot of years.

Special thanks to all the Doctors and nurses who have helped me throughout my journey, I am thankful and grateful for your help and support.

Malō aupito

Feofaaki He Lotu Kofe.