The "Sally Painting Story"

[Richard-Allen]

For many people, the name Sally Painting may be unknown. But Sally was an inspiration for so many people. She was the first-ever liver transplant patient to later become a nurse. She even worked on the same liver ward at the QE Hospital, Birmingham where she was once a patient.

At the age of 13, Sally was told that at some point in her life that she would need a liver transplant. During her teenage years, her life was saved three times. Sally was just 19 years old when she had her liver transplant back in 1994. This set her determination for a better life in future.

Liver transplants back then were still fairly new as the first-ever liver transplant at the QE was carried out in January 1982.

Sally passed away some 10 years later, following a massive bleed just hours after having given birth prematurely to her first child. Sadly the child was only 29 weeks and he too didn’t survive.

All through her liver transplant ordeal, Sally kept a diary. !0-years following her death, her parents Graham and Val Passey have published this book entitled “Looking for the Rainbow”. (I can strongly recommend this read). The proceeds of this book go to the Sally Painting Trust.

More about Sally can be found in this newspaper article: birminghammail.co.uk/news/l...

Although I never got to meet Sally, I’ve heard many stories of her work and her kind, helping nature.

But this story doesn’t end there. I received a letter from the QE the other day, and inside was this story about Amy and her liver journey. These fellow liver transplantee nurses can empathise with us, and know for themselves the mental anguish of what is involved with a liver journey.

Three nurses who all had life-saving liver transplants now work together on same ward up at the QE Birmingham: mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/t... and Sherniece Kaur's story can be found here : bcu.ac.uk/nursing-and-midwi...

What I think a lot of you may be interested to hear of the plan to build a new dedicated “Transplant Centre” at Birmingham. So, watch this space.

Richard

[Millie09]

Hi Richard, That is a really interesting post , as you know I'm under the Queen Elizabeth liver unit myself, I would love to purchse the book written by Sally's parents.

Thank you for posting

Hope you and your family are well.

Linda 🫂

[Richard-Allen in reply to Millie09]

Hi Linda, I know the book is available on Amazon priced £9.99 or there is a kindle version for £2.35. I think it is also available on the 726 ward and in the charity book shop: hospitalcharity.org/shop/pr.... I'm back up the QE for my first visit in almost two years on the 21 Dec.

[Millie09 in reply to Richard-Allen]

Thank you Richard for letting me know that ! So your back to the QE then, just for a check up I hope .. I have a telephone consultation on the 11th November with Andrew holt or one of his team.. better than nothing I suppose

[Richard-Allen in reply to Millie09]

I know Andy Holt pretty well, he used to do some of my post-transplant consultations for a while, and we've exchanged a few emails over the years. He's a nice guy and totally understands the alcohol aspect of liver disease. Your in good hands there.

[Millie09 in reply to Richard-Allen]

Thank you Richard.. yes I have spoken to him on one occasion, he was very friendly and answered my questions etc .. Hope all goes well at the face 2 face .

I was there in August for an ultrasound, had bloods done can you believe at new St Station where you went .. right next to the posh chocolate shop 😋 lol

[Tia2021 in reply to Richard-Allen]

Hope all goes well at your appointment. I certainly will be purchasing the book. Thank for sharing, x

[Richard-Allen in reply to Tia2021]

Many thanks, it will be nice to see the old building again after so long. During covid, my 6-monthly checkups have been via telephone calls, and having to go down to Birmingham New Street station and have bloods taken. (they set phlebotomy clinic in one of the disused shops, so people could just have a blood test and not have to go up to the QE hospital).

[Lils2019]

Hi Richard,

My husband has his first outpatient appointment there in a couple of weeks to see what the next steps are in this journey.

Hope your appointment goes well.

Take care x

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Thank you for sharing this,Trust10