Friends for 20 years bonded over dialysis and trainers
BBCTwo men have been firm friends for more than 20 years after bonding over a pair of trainers while they both received kidney dialysis.
Anthony Devine and Scott Humpston have each had dialysis three times a week at Coventry's University Hospital and have undergone the treatment next to each other for 22 years.
Devine was born with kidney reflux, where urine flows through the kidneys backwards, leading him to be catheterised when he was 13-years-old.
When a replacement organ failed he went back on dialysis and met Humpston.
"I liked his trainers," he said.
"Because [kidney patients] hold fluid, you can't really wear normal trainers, and he had a cracking pair."
Both men had have transplants, but with varying degrees of success.
"I had a transplant. It didn't work and I can't have one any more," Humpston said as he had his latest session.
Devine had slightly better luck with his transplants.
His first lasted 12 years before failure, then his wife volunteered to donate one of her kidneys.
"I was quite shocked because I always worry in years to come, what would happen to her, with any problems," he said.
The donated kidney lasted four years and then a third kidney failed, which is why he is back on dialysis.
The pair spend about three hours on their respective machines three times a week, where their blood is pumped through an artificial kidney, cleaned and then returned to their bodies.
"It's amazing these things keep us alive," Humpston said.
Both of them have supported the other on their journey.
"We know what we're going through and if one of us need any help, we'll talk to each other" said Devine.
"As the saying goes 'all for one and one for all."
The staff looking after them are almost like family, having been involved in their treatment for the last two decades.
"They understand what you're going through. You can have a craic with them, it's not always formal," Humpston said.
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