My nephew, Janson, aka, Handsome Janson, is in Stage V of a progressive kidney disease called FSGS, it evolved from a disease called minimal change disease he was diagnosed with in 2007. It is not cancer, however, progressive like cancer. For 11 years he was treated with oral chemo, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He had two kidney biopsies and side effects from the disease including hospital stays, and respiratory illnesses, etc. over the years. Most recently, the disease has stunted his growth and in the last six months has progressed rapidly. In February he was at 42% kidney function, June 21% and in early July 14% and last week his kidney function hit such low levels there was surgery planned very quickly to place a catheter in his abdomen for peritoneal dialysis. Janson is being followed by Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago. My sister made the switch about six months ago, for years they’ve traveled to St. Louis. I am doing this to help Julie with some of the burden of Co-payments, prescriptions, gas back and forth to Chicago for upcoming dialysis training, possible hospital stays for hemodialysis since the catheter is not healing as quickly and his kidneys continue to deteriorate, along with the inevitable expenses that will come with Janson having a transplant. Which I am happy to report the donor list consists of 16 donors as of today. Janson’s dad is remarried with a family of seven. He is involved, however, Julie is still a single parent. She carries the health insurance and is Janson’s primary caregiver. She’s worked two jobs since 2011. That will come to an end. Julie will not allow Janson to be left alone and will do whatever it takes to make sure he has everything he needs. Currently he is basically bed ridden. So if you can find it in your heart to help cushion the next six months to a year for Janson and Julie this “Aunt Mom” (what Janson calls me because he thinks I look like his mom) will be forever grateful and will always pay it forward. God bless.