A brave teen who is being kept alive by kidney dialysis and almost died from painful infections now faces an agonising wait to find out if he can get a lifesaving transplant.
Lucas Webster is currently undergoing gruelling kidney dialysis treatment three times a week, with each session lasting four hours.
The Paisley teen, who was born with renal failure, started the procedure during lockdown after his kidney function drastically declined.
Lucas, who lives in Glenburn with mum Sandra and younger brother Callum, 16, has endured a number of painful infections throughout the dialysis, and even contracted sepsis - which almost killed him.
He is now awaiting surgery later this year to make him eligible for the transplant list for a new kidney - which is vital to save his life.
His worried mum Sandra, 52, says Lucas, who has autism, is not the same person he used to be due the rapid decline in his health.
She said: “This dialysis is keeping him alive.
“He was born with renal failure so he has lived with this all of his life.
“We tried for as long as possible to keep him off dialysis but we were left with no option when his kidney function got worse.
“He had to start the dialysis three weeks ago.
“It really takes a toll on him. He is not the same person he used to be.
“It’s so hard to see how much he has changed and how difficult this is for him.
“We need to wait to see if he is eligible for the transplant list, because if they can’t fix it, he could die.”
Lucas has spent months in and out of the Queen Elizabeth University hospital,in Glasgow, battling infections and even contracted a deadly blood infection, which caused his heart to stop.
Sandra added: “It was such a frightening time. He almost died.
“His heart actually stopped and they had to bring him back.
“He has been through so much and has spent so much time in hospital over the last few months.”
Lucas, who is a former Mary Russell pupil, was born with an abnormal chromosome and an extremely rare condition called Townes-Brocks syndrome.
Medics say there are no other recorded cases in the world of a patient having both these genetic conditions.
He has spent most of his life on medication to manage the renal failure, while also facing a number of other health issues.
A year ago his kidney function reduced rapidly, forcing doctors to take action quickly to save his life.
The decline in his health has been devastating for his family, which includes Sandra, Callum - who also has autism - and older sister Lindsay.
Sandra added: “It has been difficult for us all.
“Callum finds it hard, especially as Lucas has been so unwell.
“It really affects us emotionally as a family.”
However, while the future for the family remains uncertain, Sandra has hailed her teenage son for his bravery.
“He is just amazing,” added Sandra.
“He is so resilient and handles everything that is going on so well considering how poorly he is.
“I am just so proud of him.”
Lucas is not letting his poor health get him down as he has now launched a fundraising pledge to support the dedicated hospital staff who are caring for him.
He hopes to be able to donate cash to the ward to help provide patients with activities while they are in hospital.
The brave teen also wants to raise money for Kidney Care UK, which offers vital support to Lucas and other people in the UK living with renal failure.
The family has received support from the charity since Lucas was diagnosed with kidney failure as a young child.
His fundraiser, in which he is asking people to spare a few pounds if they can, has already raised £310 for the cause.
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Lucas said: “It has been quite scary for me having dialysis, especially during the lockdown and I’m not feeling too great.
“It has been really strange but everyone at the hospital has been so kind and I just wanted to say thank you to the people who have been helping me.”
Sandra added: “We are so grateful the NHS and the staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
“The support they give us with Lucas is amazing and we would really struggle without them.”
To donate to Lucas’s fundraiser, go online to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lids
