Saved by his perfect match
“IN SICKNESS health.”
When Mick and Sharna O’Grady took those vows years ago, they never thought one of them would be struck down by a life- threatening disease.
They never would have imagined that in a few months time they would be lying side- by- side being wheeled into an operating theatre for surgery to save Mick’s life.
“In 2012, life was good, everything was going fine, I was a typical male in his 30s, working, playing footy and doing what you have to do,” Mick said.
“Then overnight, like that, things changed.”
Mick was feeling unwell, he was tired and out of sorts.
“I went to the doctors for a random check- up and out of that I was diagnosed with hypertension ( high blood pressure). We didn’t know why, I didn’t have any symptoms, no diabetes, high cholesterol or anything like that,” he said.
“Further investigations led to blood tests and then a biopsy, and eventually I was diagnosed with IgA Nephritis ( a form of kidney disease).
“I had 50 per cent function in my kidneys, which is stage two of five in kidney disease.”
He said it took some time to come to terms with the diagnosis. and in
“I was still working, still playing footy, and we were told that there was a 30 per cent chance within the 10 years of diagnosis that I would need a kidney transplant.
“I had three options from there, I could either do nothing and see the course of the disease out, which is death basically, or dialysis or get a kidney transplant.
“Doing nothing wasn’t an option.
“Dialysis would be three times a week in the hospital, with a limited diet, it meant that the quality of my life would be reduced.”
Life continued as the pair managed Mick’s disease, until 12 months ago when his kidney function dropped dramatically.
“In January 2017, Mick had a check- up with his specialist and I’d come home and I could see he wasn’t himself,” Sharna said.
“The doctor told him that in 12 months time he would be on dialysis, in November he’d a had a check- up and he was on 30 per cent function, than in eight weeks he’d decreased to 15 per cent.
“I think Mick was in disbelief, I was angry and I was like no you won’t ( go on dialysis) you’ll have a transplant … I said I’ll donate and that’s how it all started.”
Sharna said she did not even have to think about it, she would do what it took to keep Mick healthy.
“I think Mick took a while to get used to the fact that I was happy to do it,” she said..
“He’s my husband, you do things for your loved ones and I knew that dialysis wasn’t going to fit into our lifestyle.
“Part of Mick being able to cope with his disease is being able to travel and to work, I could just see him mentally deteriorating with the thought of having to go on dialysis.
“I didn’t even think twice, to be honest.”
The process to get to the transplant has not been easy either. The pair have changed their lives. There have been months of testing and significant lifestyle changes to get to the big day.
“We came back from holidays at Christmas time and my kidney function, which was stable all of 2017 at 15 per cent, dropped to 11 per cent, so I’m in renal failure right now,” Mick said.
“My kidney could fail at any time. I feel great though, I don’t feel sick, I’m still going to the gym … the average person much like myself wouldn’t know, other than feeling fatigued or having a bit of swelling.”
On April 12, Sharna will donate one of her kidneys to save Mick’s life. “We got told we are a perfect match … so on April 12, we will have the transplant,” she said.
“The recovery will take from 10 to 12 weeks for us, we are pretty much moving to Brisbane for two months. And we can only hope it doesn’t show its face again.”
The couple have become unofficial spokespeople for Kidney Health Week, making regular posts to social media and encouraging anyone who will listen to have regular health checks.
“If we can help someone else by sharing our story, then that is great,” Mick said..
“Just have a health check, go for a blood and urine test, it could save your life.”
Mick and Sharna are encouraging everyone to head to kidney. org. au to take an online kidney risk test to check up on their health.