Help Our Family With Kidney Failure

With all the health struggles my wife has been through in her life, I'm am continually amazed at how positive she always is. When she was born, the doctor's discovered that she had a rare heart defect called pulmonary atresia with VSD. The survival rate at the time was very low and surgery was needed to save her life. Needless to say, she survived and went on to have several more open heart surgeries, finally resulting in a heart transplant at the age of 24.

At that time, we had been dating for about 6 years, since high school, and were engaged. Her hope was that with the transplant, the risks associated with her having a child would be reduced. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. We were told that while possible, her risk of heart failure would still be significant.

The following year we were married.  A few years later, in 2010, we got the opportunity begin the adoption process of my one year old cousin, Aiden. My wife and I were overjoyed at finally having the child we never thought we'd have. We have since raised him as our own  and have recently been able to start the process to adopt his twin brother Caleb. Reuniting these two little boys and being able to provide a good life for them as well as give my wife the family she always dreamed of is what I feel as my greatest accomplishment in life.

Unfortunately however, this year has also brought with it a turn for the worst in my wifes health. Around the end of March, my wife started to feel sick and she couldn't shake it. After a few visits to the hospital we found out that she was in kidney failure. Apparently, the years of taking anti rejection prescriptions had taken their toll on her kidneys. She has since had to quit her job and has begun dialysis.

Needless to say, she is heartbroken over having come so far, only to have to go back into surgery yet again. Our little boys are now 6 years old and I know that it scares them to see mommy's health decline.  I have set this up to help fund my wife's transplant and ongoing medical expenses, but to also continue to provide a childhood full of good memories for our little boys.