Determined teenager Maddie Collins is home after successfully undergoing a potentially life-saving kidney transplant.
She flew back on Monday afternoon after spending two weeks at Starship Children's Health and four weeks recovering at Ronald McDonald House in Auckland.
Maddie's mother Sarah Manson-Collins said while she and Maddie were excited to be home, they were both very tired.
Maddie Collins is all smiles to be back home playing with Coco. Photo / Martin Hunter
"She needs plenty of rest to get her body strong again and then onwards and upwards," Mrs Manson-Collins said from their West Melton home.
However, Maddie will be doing her schoolwork from home.
She will also be kept busy with regular hospital appointments and a biopsy at Starship Children's Health in five weeks.
Maddie Collins is doing really well after a potentially life-saving kidney transplant.
Maddie and her family were told on January 16 their five-year wait for a kidney match had been found.
They flew from Christchurch to Auckland early the following day and Maddie underwent an initial operation and then a second operation to reposition the kidney hours later at Starship Children's Health.
Mrs Manson-Collins said Maddie has had an "amazing recovery" in spite of the first 48 hours not going to plan.
Maddie received a kidney transplant from her father Adam Collins five years ago but her body rejected it.
With only a two per cent chance of finding a donor match in New Zealand, the family did not expect to find another kidney in the country.
Maddie's next mission is to give back – she plans to meet with a veterinarian and discuss funding the desexing of cats for struggling families.
"She knows the importance of animals as health benefits," Mrs Manson-Collins said.
