MichaelKidneyTransplant

I'm Marysia Marts and I'm Michael's birthmom. He and I reunited in 2008 after almost 29 years. The family I placed Michael with opened their hearts and home to Michael and welcomed him as their son. His parents and his 11 siblings have been there for him throughout his life and that didn't change when he found out he was in kidney failure. His family and I have been there through his entire journey and we want to share with you his diagnosis, the need for a kidney and pancreas transplant and the continuing care he'll need afterwards.  Michael was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2010. He went on dialysis in June of 2015. He was put on the kidney transplant list here in North Carolina in 2017. The typical wait is two and a half to five years. They subtract the amount of time he's been on dialysis so, it's more like a three year wait, maybe less.  During that time he will remain on dialysis 3 days a week, four hours a day. This leaves him very tired the day of dialysis but he is very grateful for this life-giving treatment.  Michael said recently, "I can't wait until I feel good enough to take the kids to Carowinds! Right now I can't be on my feet that long." Michael is also a Type 1 diabetic and suffers from gastroperesus which can make him very ill for days at a time. We are thankful that the doctors want to do a pancreas transplant as well. The transplant team will do the kidney transplant first. Then, about six months later, they will do the pancreas transplant after he has recovered from the first one. After each transplant there will be many trips back and forth from his home to Baptist Hospital in Winston- Salem for lab work. Sometimes 2-3 times a week to make sure his anti-rejection drugs are working with the new organs.  Along with his cost for the transplants, he will be on very costly  anti-rejection drugs the rest of his life. Right now he has coverage for part of the cost but he will pay $500.00 a month. His cost for each transplant is roughly $15,000.00. This does not include the travel costs for at least a year back to the transplant doctors office. Although, as time passes he'll go less frequently.  We are setting up this gofundme page to raise support as quickly as possible. His transplant coordinator says they need to see he has the means to pay for his portion of the transplants. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to pay for the two transplants, and monthly anti-rejection drugs, travel expenses to and from Baptist Hospital (4 hours round trip), and other related medical expenses for the next 5 years.  Let's help Michael be able to make more memories with his children by donating to a new kidney, a new pancreas, and his renewed life! The miracles that are about to happen will be the building blocks of his legacy for his children. If you'd like to wear a reminder of your support, concern, and prayers for Michael we have bracelets that say SUPPORT MICHAEL on them. You can contact Michael or me and we'll get one to you! With love from Michael's family       ~SUPPORT MICHAEL~ "Transplantation is an amazing journey that tests the limits of human   strength and courage. It requires commitment and faith as well as    mental, emotional, and physical endurance. It is one of life's greatest   challenges and among the rewards is LIFE itself."    Unknown