Jack's Kidney Transplant Fund
Donation protected
Jennifer Sauer & Geoff Robinson's son Jack needs a kidney transplant to survive as his current kidneys are working at less than 10%. Read their story...
For as long as they can remember in Jack’s short life, they have struggled with his frequent, large amounts of vomiting. He has struggled with weight gain, eating solid foods and GI illnesses his entire life; Jennifer's mommy instincts knew something wasn’t right. After many failed attempts at their pediatrician's office, she took Jack to a Pediatric GI Specialist, within 2 hours their appointment at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Jack was admitted. With a basic lab test they were able to see that his kidney function numbers were extremely out of normal the boundaries. The next day, February 2, 2017, their world was turned upside down... after further testing, Jack was diagnosed with Congenital Renal Dysplasia and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It’s a day Jennifer and Geoff will never forget.
Having ESRD means that Jack’s kidneys are functioning at less than 10%. ESRD is the last stage (Stage 5) of Chronic Kidney Disease and daily dialysis or a kidney transplant are necessary to live. Jack's body is not able to filter out waste products, regulate electrolytes or blood pressure, which affects bone health, meaning he cannot adequately create red blood cells.
Soon after being admitted, it was determined that a feeding tube was necessary and he was immediately switched to a prescription renal-specific formula ($65/can that lasts 4 days) for his nutrition. He is also on many medications to balance his body’s nutrients including injections to produce more red blood cells and soon growth hormone injections.
Jack had never been on the “growth chart” and at his 1st birthday (last December) he weighed a mere 14.6 pounds. With these life saving changes in formula and medications he’s now up to 16.6 pounds within 2 months! Their current short-term goal is to get him to 22 pounds at which point he can be placed on the kidney transplant list.
Within the first week of his inpatient stay they did surgery to place a catheter into his peritoneal cavity so he could eventually receive peritoneal dialysis or PD dialysis. This is a type of dialysis that can be done at home while he’s sleeping. It was a relief to know this type of treatment existed – this type of dialysis is preferred for kids his age. Jack will be on daily dialysis until he receives a kidney transplant. For some, this is just a few months/years, for others it’s many years but regardless Jennifer and Geoff feel blessed that he’s still here!!
Two months after diagnosis, Jennifer and Geoff took a two week intense dialysis training session which enables them to perform dialysis treatments overnight at their home, give medications and replace Jack's feeding tube!
They are slowly working to get back to a relatively “normal” schedule while fitting in countless trips to Children's Mercy Hospital, getting started with occupational therapy as Jack’s developmentally behind in some areas (due to extreme illness) and receiving many, many boxes from home health services to help them care for him at home.
This fund is set this up for Jack to help Jennifer and Geoff with the large amount of expenses that they already have and to assist when he is on the transplant list someday soon. A lot of things that they must provide Jack are not covered by insurance, which is a constant battle. Any donation would be greatly appreciated to keep Jack alive until the day he gets his kidney transplant.
#jackneedsakidney
For as long as they can remember in Jack’s short life, they have struggled with his frequent, large amounts of vomiting. He has struggled with weight gain, eating solid foods and GI illnesses his entire life; Jennifer's mommy instincts knew something wasn’t right. After many failed attempts at their pediatrician's office, she took Jack to a Pediatric GI Specialist, within 2 hours their appointment at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Jack was admitted. With a basic lab test they were able to see that his kidney function numbers were extremely out of normal the boundaries. The next day, February 2, 2017, their world was turned upside down... after further testing, Jack was diagnosed with Congenital Renal Dysplasia and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It’s a day Jennifer and Geoff will never forget.
Having ESRD means that Jack’s kidneys are functioning at less than 10%. ESRD is the last stage (Stage 5) of Chronic Kidney Disease and daily dialysis or a kidney transplant are necessary to live. Jack's body is not able to filter out waste products, regulate electrolytes or blood pressure, which affects bone health, meaning he cannot adequately create red blood cells.
Soon after being admitted, it was determined that a feeding tube was necessary and he was immediately switched to a prescription renal-specific formula ($65/can that lasts 4 days) for his nutrition. He is also on many medications to balance his body’s nutrients including injections to produce more red blood cells and soon growth hormone injections.
Jack had never been on the “growth chart” and at his 1st birthday (last December) he weighed a mere 14.6 pounds. With these life saving changes in formula and medications he’s now up to 16.6 pounds within 2 months! Their current short-term goal is to get him to 22 pounds at which point he can be placed on the kidney transplant list.
Within the first week of his inpatient stay they did surgery to place a catheter into his peritoneal cavity so he could eventually receive peritoneal dialysis or PD dialysis. This is a type of dialysis that can be done at home while he’s sleeping. It was a relief to know this type of treatment existed – this type of dialysis is preferred for kids his age. Jack will be on daily dialysis until he receives a kidney transplant. For some, this is just a few months/years, for others it’s many years but regardless Jennifer and Geoff feel blessed that he’s still here!!
Two months after diagnosis, Jennifer and Geoff took a two week intense dialysis training session which enables them to perform dialysis treatments overnight at their home, give medications and replace Jack's feeding tube!
They are slowly working to get back to a relatively “normal” schedule while fitting in countless trips to Children's Mercy Hospital, getting started with occupational therapy as Jack’s developmentally behind in some areas (due to extreme illness) and receiving many, many boxes from home health services to help them care for him at home.
This fund is set this up for Jack to help Jennifer and Geoff with the large amount of expenses that they already have and to assist when he is on the transplant list someday soon. A lot of things that they must provide Jack are not covered by insurance, which is a constant battle. Any donation would be greatly appreciated to keep Jack alive until the day he gets his kidney transplant.
#jackneedsakidney
Organizer and beneficiary
Erin Sauer Milligan
Organizer
Blue Springs, MO
Jennifer Sauer
Beneficiary
