A Carshalton kidney patient, who was given only six months to live, looks all set to be discharged from hospital

this week following the success of his groundbreaking treatment.

Kevin McKiernan, 39, father of five-year-old twins, is only the second person in the country ever to have undergone stem cell technology involving the transplant of cancer-fighting cells from the immune system of his sister, Angeline.

Since he was first admitted

to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital four weeks ago, Kevin has documented his

battle with his illness in a remarkable column featured in our sister paper, the Sutton Comet.

Now the Guardian, which first told Kevin's story in a feature last month, catches up with him.

Week One: "I had my Hickman Line which feeds chemotherapy and blood fitted. The procedure went relatively well, although I have had a fair amount of pain since then. I am managing to control this by taking painkillers.

"I am returning to the hospital this afternoon to commence hydration and the chemotherapy will begin tomorrow."

Week Two: "It started off easy, but then the Hickman Line in my chest got a serious bug in it. When this happened I got a searing temperature and was very sick. It took about three days to properly diagnose, but the doctors took out the line and put a new one in my groin.

"Almost as soon as they

removed the line I felt a little better, although I am still getting chronically sick and haven't eaten for about three days now."

Week Three: "I recovered fully from my infection and started eating again after being violently ill and eating nothing for three and a half days.

"The timing couldn't have been better as the transplant went ahead the next day. Two plastic drip bags containing pink-coloured liquid, which were my sister's stem cells, were mounted one after the other on the drip-stands.

"I feel more tired each day and my hair has all started to fall out. I plan to get it

all shaved off as it is far too

depressing to let it fall out in chunks."

l To hear Kevin's latest news, pick up the Sutton Comet out tomorrow.

November 16, 2001 14:30