SA Footy

A Melbourne woman whose life was saved by a kidney transplant is mourning the sudden death of the donor — her mother.

Penny Halbish became only the second person in Australia to die as a result of kidney transplant surgery after pledging the organ to her daughter Suzanne.

The Herald-Sun says Mrs Halbish's widower Graham — a former chief executive of Cricket Australia — is at the family home comforting his daughter as she recovers.

Son Phil Halbish said his mother was "strong, fit and healthy" and described her death as a freak occurrence.

"Her heart was strong, her blood pressure was strong but unfortunately she developed a clot because she had surgery, which caused a heart attack and she passed away," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

He added that his sister's recovery is ahead of schedule but "she is shattered her mum is gone".

There have been 3931 kidney transplants in Australia since 1966 and the only other death occurred in 2006.

Mrs Halbish's mother died of surgical complications at the age of 52.

Monash Medical Centre has referred the death to the coroner and is conducting an internal investigation.

very, very sad story this one.
I think it is part of human nature to question things, even when there is no real answer, and I imagine that the poor girl will see out her days asking such things about why her mum had to die while she got to live. I don't want to type it exactly.
I hope she grows to understand that her mother made a choice, and indeed it was a very brave one. I am sure she will remember her mother with love and cherish her own life so much more as a result of these events. I hope she lives to achieve great things.
On a side note the name Halbish rings a bell. I think he perhaps got a few mentions in the media because of his involvement with cricket.
Condolences and best of luck to the family.