A WOMAN who gave her sister a kidney said it had been a 'dramatic week' since the successful transplant operation.

Debbie Devereux donated the organ to sister Yvonne Ivison in an operation at a Manchester hospital last week and the pair both returned home to Walney yesterday.

Mrs Devereux, 48, said it had been an 'emotional' five days since the transplant operation, with the sisters both feeling the effects of the procedure.

"There's been a lot of pain and nausea since the operation," she said.

"It's been a dramatic week and quite difficult to get through. I have been sick almost every day since the operation.

"Its been more painful than I thought, it's been a journey for both of us.

"But all the time I was thinking about Yvonne - it was worth it for her."

Mrs Ivison, a teaching assistant at South Walney Infant and Nursery School, has lived with kidney problems since 2012 and has suffered dramatically decreased function in the organ.

The 56-year-old previously said she was grateful for donating the kidney and that the operation would be 'life-changing' for her.

The sisters were kept apart on the ward at Royal Manchester Hospital on July 5 and later had an emotional reunion.

Mrs Devereux said: "When we saw each other for the first time we cried, it was quite emotional.

"We didn't know what to say to her, we were both lost for words."

On how they were both doing now, she added: "Yvonne's kidney is working well.

"She has been pretty much the same as me, she has had a dramatic time as well.

"But we are both on up now."

Mrs Devereux said she was happy she could help her sister, a mother-of-three after putting herself forward as a potential donor.

She said: "Surgeons told me it would change her life

"I don't regret it. I would do it again, but thankfully I don't have to."

To join the organ donor register see www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.”