Newtown mum Michelle Hickey faces third kidney transplant

A Newtown Mum has been given a kidney transplant not once but twice. But now she faces a new health fight.

Michelle Hickey has been granted a kidney transplant not once but twice thanks to the love of those close to her.

When she was diagnosed with kidney disease as a teen, her dad Andy Smith donated a kidney to his daughter.

Mrs Hickey said she had a stomach ache for a few days at 17, and she was taken to a doctor who ran tests.

“She rang later that night and said, ‘you need to go to emergency, your kidneys aren't working’,” the Newtown resident said.

Andy Smith with his daughter Michelle and her husband Oden Hickey. Picture: supplied

Between both her kidneys, they were operating at 5 per cent, she said.

“I think that’s why they call kidney disease a silent killer, you just don’t know,” the 36-year-old said.

“I’m very lucky the doctor caught it.”

Mr Smith, of Highton, said: “When your daughter’s in trouble, you do whatever you can to try and get her out of the predicament.”

The kidney kept Mrs Hickey off dialysis for about eight years, before she needed to go back on.

When she was an adult, the Mrs Hickey’s husband Oden gave a kidney to a stranger as part of a swap that allowed Mrs Hickey another transplant in 2014.

She described what her dad and husband had done for her as “just incredible.”

“Sometimes I just can’t believe it, I think of all the things I’ve been able to do because of that,” the mum-of-one said.

Michelle and Oden Hickey with their son Taylor. Picture: supplied

The transplants have allowed her to work full-time and travel.

But now Mrs Hickey is back on dialysis and will need a kidney transplant again.

“It’s a little bit devastating … but I’m always glass half full’,” he said

She said she felt blessed to be able to have her son, who is almost one.

She has dialysis three times a week for about four hours each session.

Mr Hickey and Mr Smith are currently participating in Kidney Health Australia’s longest running event, the Kidney Kar Rally.

It’s the fifth time they have taken part, with Mr Smith describing the event as good fun.

“We want to support the kids with kidney disease,” the 64-year-old said.

It set off from Cairns on Thursday and will reach Dubbo next week on Saturday (August 20).

The event raises funds and awareness for Kidney Health Australia’s kids and youth

programs, which help children and young people deal with the physical, emotional and

psychological impacts of kidney disease.

To make a donation visit kidney.org.au/get-involved/kidney-kar-rally.

Originally published as Newtown mum Michelle Hickey faces third kidney transplant