My Nephew Michael

My Nephew, Michael, was born in kidney failure. He had to start dialysis at 9 days old and continued until 1 month prior to his 2nd birthday, where he received a new kidney. Once he received a kidney transplant, he started living life similar to a healthy child, with a few bumps and bruises and some glitches along the way, along with the anti-rejection drugs he needed to take twice a day, every day at a certain time. He was able to live a relatively healthy life for the next 12 years.

In March of 2008, he was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. The lymphoma was primarily a result of years of rejection medications. Once diagnosed with the lymphoma, he was taken off all the rejection medications and started chemotherapy.

The chemotherapy lasted for about four months. Through God’s grace, he experienced little of the common side effects of the chemotherapy and his transplanted kidney continued to work. The Chemotherapy proved to be very effective and he is now cancer free and he had more energy than he had in his entire life.

The increased energy was short lived and the effects of being taken off the rejection medications was beginning to take its toll. Michael's creatinine (a measure of kidney function) was beginning to climb. His energy levels are now very low and his kidney is beginning to shut down. He started dialysis on Saturday afternoon. He will have to be on dialysis until he is cancer free for 1 year. At that time, he will be able to go back on a transplant list for a new kidney, but it will be a tough year.

He has the opportunity to go to Walt Disney World in December for Make-A-Wish. He asked that his whole family go. He is extremely excited about it. I just pray that he has the energy and health to enjoy it!