Mary Rooney on overcoming dark times and taking on new role with Kilkenny IKA

As you go through life, it becomes clearer and clearer that there are many health hurdles the human race has to jump. The list of challenges seems to be endless!

Perhaps though, one of the most hidden but arduous health battles you can face is organ failure. Hour upon hour lost to draining dialysis treatment. A necessary evil to keep the body going in the hope of the ultimate solution, a vital organ and a pass back to the life you could once live.

The emotional toll of longing for a critical organ, as well as the impacts of the treatment itself, are only truly known by people who have to stare organ failure straight in the face. One such person is the newly elected Chairperson of the Kilkenny branch of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), Mary Rooney.

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Mary, now a voice and advocate for Kilkenny members undergoing dialysis treatment, knows only too well about the challenges of dialysis and the emotional toll of needing an organ.

Originally from County Carlow, the IKA representative made Kilkenny home 52 years ago but still jokingly refers to herself as a 'blow in'.

Despite many great days Noreside, life dealt the Ardnore resident a blow not once, but twice, as she required transplants in 2005 and 2020.

"The first time, I didn’t even know there was anything wrong," she said.

"I went for a general check-up to the doctor. And he said, 'oh, you’ll have to go down to Waterford, there’s something wrong with your kidneys'.

Mary’s family and late husband Gerry offered unwavering support during that period, with thankfully a swift surgical procedure giving her life again. Unfortunately though, the cruel mistress returned just over a decade later, with her family once again a crucial aid.

This time, Mary did have to receive regular dialysis for three years, something she had never experienced before, leaving a great fear of the unknown.

"I know what dialysis patients are going through because I’ve gone through it myself," she said.

"You know exactly if they are having up days or down days."

In a part of her life with many difficulties, one shining light proved to be the friendships that were made, with one particularly meaningful.

"I made loads of friends in there (in dialysis). There was two special friends we used to meet up every week and go for a drive no matter where it was. We didn’t care where it was and we’d have a chat."

Now, looking forward, Mary hopes she can lean on her experiences for the greater good. In the past two weeks she met with users of the Fresenius Dialysis Unit in Kilkenny City.

Securing basic necessities such as blankets and organising day trips are just some of the items on Mary’s agenda for her tenure, but ultimately informing and caring for each individual member is at the heart of her motives in the years to come.

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