Mother desperate for organ transplant after her kidneys shut down following spider bite
A mum-of-three is desperate for an organ transplant this Christmas after treatment for a spider bite triggered kidney failure.
Carly Anderson, from south London, was sunbathing when she was bitten on her inner thigh in August.
The poisonous spider was not the cause of her kidney failure, but the antibiotics she was given to treat the bite made her condition worse.
After years of medical problems, the 36-year-old was bitten by what she believes was a false widow spider.
The subsequent medication used to flush the spider poison from her bloodstream, along with her diabetes, caused her kidneys to shut down, and now she is in dire need of help.
She was diagnosed with diabetes aged 13, suffered two heart attacks, and was told in February last year she also had chronic artery disease and heart failure.
"My kidneys became unwell because of the dye they used for the heart, the dye that was used for the angiogram," Carly said.
"It was weakening my kidneys further and further.
"I was admitted to Guy's Hospital by London Bridge.
"They kept saying Carly, your kidneys are failing.
"They said you won't feel anything, they will just go.
"I didn't think anything of that. I thought I will be alright, I am a fighter."
But in September Carly was told she would need a transplant and that the spider bite medication "killed" her kidneys.
The mum-of-three added: "I thought it was the heat burning me. But it was a spider biting me.
"In September, I went to the kidney clinic and they told me I needed a transplant.
"They told me my kidneys were dead - whatever medication you have had when that spider bit you killed your kidneys.
"They still didn't know what spider it was. I presume it was a false widow or something like that."
Carly desperately needs to find a kidney otherwise she might not see Christmas.
She lives with her three daughters - Ellie, 14, six-year-old Jessica and four-year-old Billie - and boyfriend Ryan Rice, 32, who cares for her full time.
"My children are just in bits," Carly said.
"My eldest daughter cries all the time. They think I am going to die.
"My youngest ones don't really understand about it very much. But my eldest daughter, she is constantly crying.
"I try and assure her that I am okay. She is in bits, and so is my boyfriend.
"I believe that if I am doing an appeal I will find one.
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"I would love that person that comes forward to give me the kidney.
"It would mean the world to me. It would be the best Christmas present anyone could give me, for me to be well again."
