Lu Yongmin, a 52-year-old woman from Zhejiang Province, has had some problems since undergoing a kidney transplant on Sunday, but doctors at Zhongshan Hospital say her condition is not serious.

"Lu will be hospitalized for some 20 days, including the Spring Festival starting from this weekend," said Dr Zhu Tongyu, who led the surgery. "The hospital will prepare special festival dinner for patients and their families."

Lu's transplant, which was paid for by donations from local companies, drew a great deal of attention. The operation normally costs 100,000 yuan (US$12,375).

Her son, Liu Ting, sustained all sorts of hardships to care for her over the past few years.

Lu was diagnosed with uremia six years ago. Treating the disease used up all of the family's savings, and Lu's husband left her.

Liu, a 19-year-old university student, saved every penny he could to save his mother.

"I am so glad to see my mother undergo the transplant. I will work hard at my studies and take care of my mother," Liu said.

When he was accepted into Zhejiang Forestry University's art design college last year, Liu asked the school to let him take his mother with him. He managed to rent a room in a teacher's dormitory and got a job at the school cafeteria.

After Liu's story was reported by the media, Zhongshan Hospital contacted Liu about a transplant.

(Shanghai Daily January 26, 2006)