A MOTHER-OF-TWO is anxiously awaiting a phone call that will tell her if a match has been found for a lifesaving transplant.

Doctors have told Dyan Taylor that her failing liver will only hold out for another 18 months, because of a hereditary condition.

Her own mother, Barbara Simpson, died from the same condition last July.

"It could happen any time," said Dyan, 52, of Acomb, York, who has suffered from liver problems for about 15 years. I have primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver. I have been going to York Hospital where they have been keeping an eye on my liver. When they referred me to St James's in Leeds in January they put me straight on the list.

"I lost my mum last year to this. It is hereditary. That's when they found out I had the same thing. Hers was too far gone to have a transplant. If it is left too long you get tumours. She had it diagnosed late."

Her husband, Michael, and daughters, Victoria and Katie, pushed for more tests to be carried out on Dyan when Barbara's tumour was discovered.

"I don't know if I was feeling low because of my mum or because I was getting poorly myself," said Dyan. "I went into Jimmy's for four days for tests then they found out my liver was deteriorating and they put me on the list.

"That's when it really hits home. It is a bit frightening because you know someone has to die and I have to have their liver. The doctor has said my liver in the state it is will only last 18 months. So it is the gift of life. I still haven't come to terms with it. I just want to get it done now. We were all very upset at first but we have talked about it and I am quite a strong person."

Dyan has stayed on at work as a buyer and shop adviser to Cox of Yorkshire in Shambles, York.

"That has kept me going," she admitted. "If I was at home I would just dwell on it all the time. It takes my mind off it. I get tired and have had to cut my hours down. I know if I can get up, get dressed and go out I am fine. I can rest when I get home."

Her grave condition has brought home the vital importance of people joining the NHS Organ Donor Register to give others a new lease of life. "It is something you never thing about doing yourself - carrying a donor card or talking about it even though there's so much they can do. I never carried a card but we have talked about it and about what can be donated."

"They said if they get a bigger liver they could take part of it for a child. It is just amazing. I am on steroids now so I feel okay. They want to keep me boosted up and eating well. The operation is eight hours so you have to be fit. If you get too poorly it causes complications."

To sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register phone 0845 6060400.

Updated: 09:56 Tuesday, April 12, 2005