A KIDNEY FOR LIAM
My grandson Liam was the best surprise that I could ever have wished for. My daughter wasn’t feeling well and finally went to the doctor. She was 5 months pregnant! Liam was born in August of 2013 and his parents and I can’t imagine what our lives would be like without him and we really don’t want to. Now 15 months old, he is adorable, curious, happy and he has a laugh that is infectious. His smiles just melt your heart. Ladies lock up your daughters because our precious boy is going to be a heartbreaker! When Liam was just a day old he was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and we got the scare of our lives. Without a kidney transplant our family will be without Liam, something we cannot and will not accept.
On October 28th, Liam’s parents took him to Atlanta, which is the closest pediatric transplant hospital to their home in Florida.. The doctors there determined that Liam has Multicystic Dysplastic Kidneys, not PKD. For a moment we hoped that it was a better diagnosis, but our hopes were dashed quickly – basically, the only difference is that PKD is inherited. Based on his current health and the fact that his kidneys are only working at 20%, they have determined that a kidney transplant is necessary in the next 6 – 8 months and is vital for our little Liam’s survival. Beyond the gut-wrenching fear and anxiety about the success of the transplant, his survival and his little body’s acceptance of the kidney, the expenses are mind boggling.
Medical costs will include: surgery, fees for the recovery of the organ from the donor, and, if it is a parent, there will be the loss of crucial income, follow-up care and testing, additional hospital stays for complications, fees for surgeons, physicians, radiologist, anesthesiologist and recurrent lab testing, anti-rejection and other drugs, which can easily exceed $2,500 per month and rehabilitation. Non-medical costs will include: food, lodging, transportation to and from the transplant center, before and after the transplant, plane travel to get to the transplant hospital quickly, lost wages if their employer does not pay for their time away from work, and funds to keep their little apartment in Florida. We have been told that after the initial hospitalization for the transplant, we will have to stay in Atlanta close to the hospital for bi or tri-weekly visits to the hospital to monitor Liam’s recovery for three months.
I am totally captivated with this little boy. Just watching him play, examining his toys and seeing what buttons do what, exploring his books, his eagerness to walk, making him laugh – how much joy he has brought to our lives! Invariably the thought pops up – how long will we have this precious child?? We savor every milestone he reaches and every moment we have with him. Our Liam is a fighter, but this isn’t a fight he or we can do alone, will you fight with us to give Liam his life back?
You can fight for Liam by donating through our website, liking and sharing the link among friends, ANY help is wanted and greatly appreciated. Thank you for your kindness in advance, now let’s show Liam we can fight too!
