Lismore local, Our Kids fundraising coordinator Rebekka Battista has given her son the best Christmas present possible – a new kidney.

Rebekka and her son Isaak (21) were still in hospital in Sydney yesterday, both recovering after a kidney transplant operation.

Rebekka said she and Isaak were moved into the same ward a couple of nights ago which made it easy for visiting friends to see them both.

“He might be over his mum by the end of it though,” Rebekka laughed.

It’s the second time Isaak has received a kidney transplant – the first time was 14 years ago, when Isaak’s father, Gianpiero donated a kidney to him – and that was at Christmas time too.

“We are both doing well,” Rebekka said. “Isaak is an incredibly resilient young man.

“I need to take it easy for about six weeks after the major surgery – so no running a marathon.

 “I just need to keep a healthy lifestyle, just like Gianpiero did after he gave Isaak a kidney.

Rebekka said before the operation, Isaak’s kidney function was only at about 10% capacity.

“Isaak’s blood results are back to normal now and that’s pretty amazing,” she said.

Friends and family gather around the Battistas in hospital.

Rebekka said the major surgical operation saw her in surgery for about six hours, but Isaak’s surgery was only about three hours.

“It’s a bigger operation for the donor while they prepare the kidney to get out well and be quickly transplanted,” she said.

Rebekka said Isaak takes anti-rejections medication twice a day, and he will be doing it for the rest of his life.

“In the morning and evening, he has about 15 tablets to keep everything going,” she said.

“Even though I’m his mum and we are a match, it’s still a foreign object in his body.

“The more research we keep doing about transplants and medications, hopefully transplants will last longer. 

“We already know more about it now than we did 14 years ago.

“One day they might be able to grow kidneys – that would be amazing.” 

Rebekka, Gianpiero and Isaak are together and expect to stay in Sydney for a few months so Isaak can be close to the hospital for the ongoing post-operative checks.

“We want to thank Centre Church, the churches of Lismore and Hillsong City Campus for their love and encouragement,” Rebekka said.

“Isaak’s friends have been coming to spend time with him here and there’s a lovely stream of people sending their prayers and support.

“We’d also like to thank the Lismore community for the support of messages, texts and flowers.

“Our family has been wonderful and having them near has been such a support.”