A care home worker has saved his fiancee's life by giving her one of his kidneys.
Geraldine Chingosho, 22, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease soon after meeting Aldo Cataldi in 2017.
The trainee nurse told him they shouldn't pursue a relationship because she'd be in and out of hospital and 'didn't think it was fair to lumber him with a sick person'.
But Mr Cataldi stuck by her - and when relatives turned out to be incompatible donors, he came up as a perfect match.
Geraldine Chingosho, 22 with her fiance and kidney donor, Aldo Cataldi, 27, after the transplant
Ms Chingosho was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in May 2017, just as she started dating Mr Cataldi
Ms Chingosho, from Leicester, said: 'I never would have ever asked or expected my fiance to give me his kidney. I was completely stunned to find that we were even a match.
'Aldo has saved my life and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him.'
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also called chronic kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney function.
Kidneys filter out waste products and excess fluids from the blood before they are excreted through urine. They also help maintain blood pressure.
The couple moments before their kidney transplant at Leicester General Hospital in February
Mr Cataldi wakes up in the hospital after having his kidney removed. The care home worker demanded to be tested and said it was a 'no-brainer' to go through with the operation
Ms Chingosho's scars following the surgery that saw doctors cut her open and connect the organ to her blood vessels and bladder
As CKD advances, the kidneys do not function properly and dangerous levels of waste build up in your body.
CKD does not usually cause any symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. It can be detected early on via blood and urine tests.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also called chronic kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney function.
Our kidneys filter out waste products and excess fluids from the blood before they are excreted through urine. They also help maintain blood pressure.
As CKD advances, the kidneys do not function properly and dangerous levels of waste build up in your body.
The risk of CKD increases as you age.
CKD does not usually cause any symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. It can be detected early on via blood and urine tests.
Symptoms include:
Nausea Vomiting Loss of appetite Fatigue and weakness Sleep problems Changes in how much you urinate Decreased mental sharpness Muscle twitches and cramps Swelling of feet and ankles Persistent itching Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart Shortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungs High blood pressure that is difficult to controlThose with the condition have a greater risk of
