Cengiz Yelegen, who lived a dialysis-dependent life for 32 years in Izmir, including 18 years at home, gained both freedom and a new life with a cadaver donation. Yelegen, who is the first home dialysis patient in Turkey, said, “My years on dialysis could only last for a very long time because I took very good care of myself and did not disobey my doctors. Now I am back at the age of 26. I am free from machine life, I am free.”

Cengiz Yelegen, 58, who lives with his mother Düriye and father Celal Yelegen in Buca district of Izmir, suffered from nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) before going to military service. The unfortunate man, who suffered from high blood pressure after returning from military service, became ill towards the end of 1992. Yelegen, who lived in Tatvan district of Bitlis until that year, moved to Izmir with his family on the grounds that there were better treatment opportunities. Yelegen, who was told that his kidneys had completely failed, started dialysis and was connected to dialysis three days a week for 14 years in various centers. At the end of 14 years, when steps were taken for home dialysis in Turkey, she became the first patient of this practice. After 8 months of training, Yelegen started dialysis at home and spent 18 years in this way. 

Yelegen, who was afraid of transplantation because she had hepatitis in the first years she was on dialysis, left her fears behind last year when her doctor said that 'medicine has advanced a lot' and suggested 'kidney transplantation' and applied to Acıbadem Kent Hospital for transplantation. Yelegen, who had no suitable living donor, put her name on the cadaver list about 11 months ago.

She had no hope

Yelegen, who had no hope for a donation, was determined to be the most suitable patient among the candidates called for transplantation on October 18. The 32-year dialysis patient was selected by a team led by Specialist. Prof. Dr. Işık Özgü, under the chairmanship of Specialized. Prof. Dr. Uğur Saraçoğlu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Sevinç Ok, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Töz, Assoc. Dr. Gökhan Ekin and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mert Akan were taken to the transplant operation. After the successful transplant, Yelegen regained her health and got rid of being dependent on the machine.

“I am very well now, I am back to 26 years old”

Yelegen, who runs an electrician shop with his father in Izmir, where they migrated for treatment, stated that he gave up his marriage plan because of his illness and said:

“In the first years when I was on dialysis, kidney transplantation was not so advanced in Turkey. They said 'there would be a risk because of hepatitis, you are young'. I saw a patient who experienced organ rejection, I was scared. For 14 years I received dialysis in various centers. In 2006, my doctor told me about home dialysis. I received training, and then I was connected to the machine every other day at home for 18 years. Last year, a doctor at a dialysis center suggested me to have a kidney transplant. When I mentioned the risk, my doctor said 'medicine has advanced, risk is everywhere, something can happen to you even when you go out on the street'. I decided to get a transplant at that moment. I did not even wait for a year and I received a donation. I received the transplant and now I am very well. I am back to 26 years old, I am very happy. I still feel like in a dream, I can't believe I got rid of the machine, my life has changed. God bless whoever donated this organ.”

“I could not make a program even for one day”

“I was able to endure dialysis all these years because I accepted it. My mother was very meticulous, she took good care of me. I also took good care of myself,” Yelegen said, adding, ”We should not drink too much fluid. I listened to every word of the doctors. I saw dialysis patients who rebelled a lot. If you accept it, you get better. Because of dialysis, I could not even make a one-day holiday program. But now I am free and the first thing I will do is to go to my hometown and have a 15-20 day holiday.”

made a statement.

“More than half of his life was spent on dialysis”

Giving information about the patient and transplantation after the dialysis period, Nephrology Specialist Dr. Ebru Sevinç Ok from Acıbadem Kent Hospital Kidney Transplantation team said that much progress has been made especially in the treatment of hepatitis C thanks to new drugs, most of their concerns have disappeared compared to the past, and there is no obstacle to transplantation unless they have severe liver disease. Continuing his words, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ok said:

“Mr. Cengiz has been on dialysis for 32 years, a very long time and a rare condition. I don't know how many dialysis patients there are in Turkey over 30 years. He met dialysis at an early age and spent his whole life on dialysis. After so many years, we were able to transplant him despite everything. It was a very special transplant for him. Long dialysis time is very important. Because in dialysis, patients can face very big problems such as losing their life chances and heart diseases. The fact that Mr. Cengiz has been able to survive for so many years depends on good treatment, home dialysis.”

“It is very important that patients do not lose hope”

Stating that Cengiz Yelegen, being the first home dialysis patient in Turkey, continues his life with this dialysis method that helps him to continue his life in a healthy way, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ok said, “The patient is doing well. It is very important that patients do not lose hope here. We should not think that a long time has passed. Of course, it is a very healthy thing for everyone to have a transplant as soon as possible without extending the dialysis period too much. Many patients can be transplanted if they take good care of themselves and continue a suitable dialysis.”