THEO IS A HERO: THEO'S KIDNEY QUEST

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

We are reaching out to share the story of our sweet baby boy Theo, who has already been through more in his 8 months of life than most of us will face in our lifetime. He is a fighter, a miracle, and our little hero.

A Shocking Diagnosis at Birth

At our 20-week anatomy scan, Theo's amniotic fluid was low and his bladder was distended. We were referred to a high-risk maternal-fetal medicine doctor. At this appointment, we were told his fluid was so low he was likely not going to survive at birth, there's not much we could do, and that the reason his fluid was low was not clear.

We left that appointment distraught. But she did not know our Theo.

By the next appointment, his fluid was still on the lower end of normal but was normal! We were told he had an adrenal cyst. We followed up weekly and were told he was maintaining an acceptable level of fluid and eventually were told the cyst ruptured and everything appeared to be okay. The specialist could not have been any more wrong. We prepared for the arrival of our twin boys with joy and excitement, never imagining the storm that was coming.

Due to preeclampsia, an emergency C-section was done at 34 weeks. This ended up being a blessing in disguise because little did we know that every second, Theo's kidney was becoming more and more damaged.

Theo and his twin brother were born on August 23, 2024. On his second day of life, we were told his creatinine had risen and the hospital wanted to transfer him to the Children's Hospital. I had to let them take my baby away, knowing I would not be able to see him again until I was discharged from the hospital. On his 3rd day of life, I received a phone call from the Children's Hospital that Theo's creatinine was 4.0, he urgently needed surgery for a dialysis catheter and needed to urgently start dialysis. I will never forget thinking I was dreaming and losing my breath crying for my son.

While I was falling apart, my son started his fight and he has fought every day since!

Theo has undergone so many surgeries and procedures we have lost count... urethral valve ablation, peritoneal dialysis cath placement, vesicostomy, G-tube placement, Broviac line placement, chemo port placement, and PD cath removal due to peritonitis which also most likely caused the two intussusceptions he was hospitalized for. Theo has to take multiple medications daily and injections three times a week. He has had blood transfusions, iron infusions, and weekly lab draws prior to him getting a Broviac line and now his chemo port. Every procedure carries risks and every setback has been terrifying.

WHAT THEO NEEDS NOW

Theo needs a kidney transplant to survive. Following surgery, he will have to go into a strict quarantine to protect his fragile immune system. He will need extensive and full-time care.

His twin brother and older sister adore him and are navigating this tough journey alongside us. Our family has been through unimaginable emotional, physical, and financial strain.

WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR HELP

Because of Theo's medical needs and frequent appointments, I've had to stop working to care for him full-time.

Your support will help us with:

- Medical expenses not covered by insurance

- Travel costs to and from specialist appointments

- Supplies and care for post-transplant recovery and quarantine

- Household bills while I remain at home to care for Theo

Theo has fought every step of the way—now we're asking for help to give him the future he deserves. If you can donate, share this campaign, or keep us in your thoughts and prayers, we would be deeply grateful.

From the bottom of our hearts—THANK YOU.

With Love,

Theo's family