Caiden's Caped Crusades: FSGS

This is Caiden James McCaffrey! He just turned 5 at the beginning of July...he loves pizza, loves to play outside, loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and has one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. He looks like a normal and happy little boy from the outside, but inside he fights a daily battle with an awful disease called FSGS, or Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. FSGS is a rare disease that attacks the kidney's filtering units causing serious scarring which leads to permanent kidney damage, and in some cases even kidney failure. Each one of our kidneys is made up of over a million tiny filters called "glomeruli", which filter the blood in our bodies, taking out the water-like part which becomes urine and leaving the protein in our blood. When the filters are scarred or damaged proteins begin to leak into the urine (proteinuria). For more information of FSGS click the link here: Understanding FSGS. Our sweet baby was diagnosed with this rare condition in February of this year, 2016 and his life and our lives have been forever changed. In January of 2015 Caiden started experiencing random symptoms such as constant vomiting, GI problems and stomach pain, which all in turn caused severe anxiety as his daily routine and everything he was used to became flipped upside-down. These symptoms continued with no explanation until the journey with UPMC Children's Hospital: Gastrointestinal Department began in September of 2015. From September 2015 through February 2016, our little superhero was put through test after test (many of which he had to be completely put to sleep for), constant needle pricks and blood draws, and numerous doctor visits trying to give us an answer. February of this year rolled around and we still had no answers, so they moved Caiden to the Nephrology Department at Children's Hospital for further evaluation and testing. They quickly scheduled Caiden for a biopsy, and soon enough we had a diagnosis. Along with the diagnosis of FSGS, we were also given the very upsetting news that Caiden would more than likely need a kidney transplant within the next two years due to the damage already done to both of his kidneys. Since being diagnosed in February, his kidney functions have slowly been decreasing, causing him increased discomfort and pain, as well as multiple hospital visits and doctors appointments. Caiden also has a sensory disorder which made it absolutely impossible to get the needed medications into his body for his kidneys to see if they could provide some positive effects on the scarring of the kidneys. On July 1, 2016 Caiden underwent a procedure to have a G-tube placed in his stomach in order to receive his medications and supplemental feedings (due to the sensory disorder, Caiden only eats a very limited selection of foods, and is very hesitant about trying new things, afraid of becoming sick). The tube had been successful, however, the medications that he was being given were not. After multiple long and exhausting hospital admissions, it was concluded that Caiden was reacting to multiple medications (symptoms of the reactions included vomitting, nausea, and severe swelling and weight gain). Ultimately his renal doctor's have decided to begin the evaluation process for Caiden to receive a brand new kidney as this is the best option for him at the present time. The process itself will take 1-2 months to complete, although possibly even sooner if his kidney functions continue to decline. Caiden has been placed on both the deceased donors list as well as the live donor list for a new kidney. We are praying that this process is quick and effective so that our little superhero can obtain a functioning kidney and be able to live the rest of his life healthy and happy, like he should be able to!

We created this page for Caiden to try and raise money for him and his family during this trying time. Caiden's momma is a stay at home mother of 4 (Caiden has a baby brother, Liam (1 year old), and two older sisters, Ava (10 years old) and Kyra (14 years old). Caiden's father, Jason works full time to support their family of 6, but during this particularly difficult time in all of their lives, it is hard to make ends meet with the constant hospital stays, set-backs, and the back and forth visits to the doctors and specialists. As much as Jason tries to be there when things get particularly tough, he is the only "working" parent at the moment and is concerned that they will struggle even more financially if he misses time from work. We have created this page to try and raise money to ease the financial burden on their family, and allow for Jason to be at home with Caiden during these difficult times instead of working full time to support the family, because his son needs his daddy more than anything right now. Our main goal is to raise enough money for the family and Caiden so that when the time comes that Caiden is able to receive a new kidney, Jason can take off work and not have to worry about finances, and just be there with his family. 

So please, if you have it on your heart to help out, any little bit is important and meaningful. Caiden and his family are forever greatful to anyone who could donate whatever amount they are comfortable with to help them in their time of need. If you cannot provide a donation and would rather send a prayer their way, ANYTHING is appreciated and valued. God is so good and there is a light at the end of the tunnel for Caiden James, our superhero!