Surgery #58 TeamingTogetherForTyler

Tyler has a rare disease called Prune Belly Syndrome.  In short, he needed a kidney transplant due to the disease when he was almost 2.  He was given my kidney  but he got a blood clot and lost it within days.  Six months later, Tyler went on dialysis and we anxiously awaited another kidney.  He stayed on dialysis for 2 years before he got another kidney, which was a blessing.  Tyler has had a total of 57 surgeries ranging from kidney transplants, heart surgery, hip surgery, ear surgery, numerous urological surgeries and multiple central and hemodialysis lines as well as an AV fistula.  He's got blood clots throughout his whole body which has contributed to his numerous complications.  He wears hearing aids and looks different from other kids but this doesn't stop him from enjoying life.  He is a very loving and empathetic 12 year old.  The reason for this fundraising account is that Tyler will be having 4 surgeries in one just 5 days after Christmas.  Doctors are trying to open his airway because he has the worst case of obstructive sleep apnea that the University of Michigan has ever seen (he has used a CPAP machine for the last 5 years).  Unfortunately, Tyler was born 2 months early which doesn't help with his breathing and he has a "floppy" windpipe (tracheal malasia).  His airway has closed off and he's had to be airlifted to U of M.  Part of these surgeries (removal of part of his palate) will hopefully open up his airway so that he gets better oxygenation and less obstruction.  If this series of surgeries do not work, we have to start thinking about a tracheostomy (a hole in your throat that allows you to breathe).  Tyler is so full of life and, as his mother, I would hate for him to endure that as well as everything else he has been through in 12 short years.  Tyler has defied the odds and he truly is a miracle child.  We are asking for help because we will be out of work while Tyler is hospitalized and recovering.  We will be staying in a hotel in Ann Arbor, Michigan and  any help you can give would be greatly appreciated so that we may stay with him through his recovery without the added worry of returning to work while he is still healing.  Prayers for Tyler, our family, and all other little transplant heros would be great as well.