Georgina Beyer's miracle second chance at life

Former Labour Party MP, Georgina Beyer, is due to get a kidney transplant after recovering from heart disease cardiomyopathy. Photo / Hagen Hopkins

Former Labour politician Georgina Beyer has made a remarkable recovery from heart disease - something she is calling a "miracle of miracles.''

Beyer, the world's first openly transsexual Member of Parliament, is due to get a life-saving kidney transplant this month, thanks to the generosity of a close friend.

In an interview with Woman's Day, she revealed that her improbable recovery from the heart disease cardiomyopathy meant she was now eligible for a kidney transplant.

"It's unbelievable - miracle of miracles,'' she said.

"The medical and surgical experts didn't expect the treatment to be effective, but now if all things go well, life can return to normal.''

Just last year Beyer had started to come to terms that her life could be coming to an end after she was diagnosed with the disease.

Last year's diagnosis came after she was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in 2013.

She was having five-hour dialysis sessions three times a week and was on the sickness benefit.

Things were looking up this year, however, and long-time friend Grant Pittams is one of the key people helping her, having offered up one of his kidneys.

Pittams told the magazine: "I could see Georgie's health deteriorate in front of me. Every time I saw her, she was thinner and sicker.

"It was sad and frustrating and there was no prospect of an end to it unless someone did something. Finally, I decided it had to be me.''

Beyer acknowledged just how much her friend was doing for her, saying it was an incredible gift.

"I'll never get over the altruistic nature of this gesture,'' she said.

"You're essentially giving me life.''

Her operation is scheduled for later this month. But she said she was not quite out of the woods yet - as the transplant could be cancelled if medical staff were not happy with test results.

There was also a 10 per cent chance of failure as she and Pittams did not have the same blood type.

Despite that, Beyer said this was the moment she has been waiting for, for so long.

"This is the gift of life and I'm welcoming it with open arms.''