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John Lennon wrote in his song, Beautiful Boy, "Before you cross the street take my hand, life is what happens to you, while you're busy making other plans."
In 2016, at the age of 30, my previously healthy son, Michael Christopher Russell, was ordered to go to the nearest emergency room by his primary care physician. After a CT-scan, doppler procedures on his legs and biopsies on his kidneys, he was ultimately diagnosed with Minimal Change Disease. He had a blood clot in his left lung, 30+ lbs of fluid in his abdominal cavity, and ankles so swollen he could not walk without aid. Minimal Change Disease is a kidney disorder, caused by an autoimmune disease, that can lead to nephrotic syndrome. He was prescribed blood thinners, diuretics and steroids. Steroids (corticosteroids) are the first line of treatment for Minimal Change Disease. This will be important in the next chapter of Chris' story. After 10 weeks, his Minimal Change Disease went into remission, but must be monitored for the rest of his life.
Fast forward to 2020. In 2020, Chris began limping and had great pain in his hips. Chris works at a hardware store and does heavy lifting and parts assembly requiring great muscle strength. He saw a chiropractor who thought Chris had a pinched nerve. After extensive 9 month therapy with the chiropractor and no relief, I suggested he see doctors who specialize in more detailed therapy such as sports therapists. After 6 weeks, his new therapist said, "Chris, you should be seeing improvement by now. We need x rays and an MRI to see just what is going on." He was diagnosed with osteonecrosis.
Use of high-dose corticosteroids, such as prednisone, is a common cause of avascular necrosis. Osteonecrosis occurs when something restricts or cuts off blood flow to a bone. Bone tissue starts to die and as it loses its structural integrity, tiny breaks called microfractures begin to form. These microfractures can cause collapse of the weight-bearing surfaces of the bone. In simple terms, his bones are crumbling, due to prior treatment for Minimal Change Disease with corticosteroids.
My son is not a first-line responder, a politician, an inventor, an actor or anyone who is notable in this age of social media. He is a friend to his friends, an engaging companion, a jokester and most importantly, he is my heart. He remains cheerful, but has told me, "Mom, in my dreams, I am running across the fields with Helios (a friend's dog) or I'm playing my drums. And . . . then, I wake up."
I believe that people are good if given the chance. I believe that prayer is as powerful as doubt and that miracles are available for those who ask. I believe that events in life can blind-side us and yet open our eyes.
Chris needs bi-lateral hip replacement, at age 35, to prevent lifelong disability. His surgery is scheduled in mid-May. Chris does have health insurance, but with a huge ($8,000) deductible. Whatever help you could provide at this time, however small, would be an answer to prayer. I hope that soon, my Beautiful Boy will take my hand, and just like in old days, we will run across that field of dreams together.
In 2016, at the age of 30, my previously healthy son, Michael Christopher Russell, was ordered to go to the nearest emergency room by his primary care physician. After a CT-scan, doppler procedures on his legs and biopsies on his kidneys, he was ultimately diagnosed with Minimal Change Disease. He had a blood clot in his left lung, 30+ lbs of fluid in his abdominal cavity, and ankles so swollen he could not walk without aid. Minimal Change Disease is a kidney disorder, caused by an autoimmune disease, that can lead to nephrotic syndrome. He was prescribed blood thinners, diuretics and steroids. Steroids (corticosteroids) are the first line of treatment for Minimal Change Disease. This will be important in the next chapter of Chris' story. After 10 weeks, his Minimal Change Disease went into remission, but must be monitored for the rest of his life.
Fast forward to 2020. In 2020, Chris began limping and had great pain in his hips. Chris works at a hardware store and does heavy lifting and parts assembly requiring great muscle strength. He saw a chiropractor who thought Chris had a pinched nerve. After extensive 9 month therapy with the chiropractor and no relief, I suggested he see doctors who specialize in more detailed therapy such as sports therapists. After 6 weeks, his new therapist said, "Chris, you should be seeing improvement by now. We need x rays and an MRI to see just what is going on." He was diagnosed with osteonecrosis.
Use of high-dose corticosteroids, such as prednisone, is a common cause of avascular necrosis. Osteonecrosis occurs when something restricts or cuts off blood flow to a bone. Bone tissue starts to die and as it loses its structural integrity, tiny breaks called microfractures begin to form. These microfractures can cause collapse of the weight-bearing surfaces of the bone. In simple terms, his bones are crumbling, due to prior treatment for Minimal Change Disease with corticosteroids.
My son is not a first-line responder, a politician, an inventor, an actor or anyone who is notable in this age of social media. He is a friend to his friends, an engaging companion, a jokester and most importantly, he is my heart. He remains cheerful, but has told me, "Mom, in my dreams, I am running across the fields with Helios (a friend's dog) or I'm playing my drums. And . . . then, I wake up."
I believe that people are good if given the chance. I believe that prayer is as powerful as doubt and that miracles are available for those who ask. I believe that events in life can blind-side us and yet open our eyes.
Chris needs bi-lateral hip replacement, at age 35, to prevent lifelong disability. His surgery is scheduled in mid-May. Chris does have health insurance, but with a huge ($8,000) deductible. Whatever help you could provide at this time, however small, would be an answer to prayer. I hope that soon, my Beautiful Boy will take my hand, and just like in old days, we will run across that field of dreams together.