Fight for Kaleb
Donation protected
I have set up this account to assist a co-worker and his family in need during their latest journey with their 4 year old son, Kaleb. This is to help relieve some of the financial burdern. This is Kaleb's story (as told my his mom)...
My journey began on March 15, 2011. I was born in Lloydminster SK, to my mommy Terry-Lynn, and daddy, Owen Busch. My birth came fast and unexpected as I suffered a myocardial infarction, or massive heart attack, while my mom was still pregnant with me. The doctors in Lloydmisnter sent me to Edmonton, where my road to recovery, began.
I was placed on ECMO, or life support the day I got there. The doctors did not have much hope and gave my parents the grim news that my little heart could not be repaired, and I probably wouldn't make it throughout the night. Much to everyone's surprise, I did, and the doctors decided to list me on the heart transplant recipient list. A list where many people, wait and some, never get their hearts. I waited 6 days, and got my gift, a second chance, my new heart. I stayed in the hospital, for almost 2 months, then I got to come home. Life was going good, until I got sick. When I was about 6 months old, I contracted rota virus, something all little kids get, but I could not fight it on my own. Due to dehydration, we had to go back to the hospital for a little while. When I was almost a year old, I caught a cold. It was a cold that didn't seem to want to go away. After almost 3 months of this, and many tests, the doctors discovered I had PCP pneumonia. A bacterial infection in my lungs, common to transplant recipients. I was sent to the PICU, and put on a ventilator. After 42 days, I got to go home. A short time later, the doctors told my parents that my neutraphils were very low and they did not know why. Your body needs neutraphils in order to fight off infections. I was not able to do this on my own. So mommy had to give me a needle everyday to force my body to make them, it hurt real bad, but, as time went on, my body took over and fixed my problem.
It was almost time for my 2nd birthday. Mommy and daddy noticed somethings with me had changed. I no longer crawled, or stood or even sat up by myself. They took me to a special hospital in Edmonton, called the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, where a team of doctors and therapists, diagnosed me with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. They told my parents, sometime in my short life, I had a stroke, and this is what caused this. They said I may never walk, but I have a walker and try my hardest! They also said I may never talk, but again, I don't left that stop me from trying. I can say lots of words. I have a wheelchair and a walker, and Mommy and Daddy let me try anything that any other little kid can do, the only limit I have, is what I place on myself.
Fast forward to almost 4 years old. I was not feeling too well and I was losing weight. This carried on for a few months, until the doctors decided I needed to have an internal scope done. And, the diagnosis of this scope, Celiac Disease. I cannot digest the protein gluten, which is in almost everything...so after a couple months of a new diet, getting used to new foods and giving up foods I loved, I started gaining weight again! The food isn't always the best, but mommy found a way to make the foods I always ate, just safer for me.
Now here we are, on my newest, and toughest journey yet. At one of my appointments in December, mommy saw a lump on my neck. The doctors took action right away. After ultrasounds, blood tests and a PET CT scan, my parents worst nightmare came true. I was diagnosed with PTLD (Post Transplant Lymphproliferative Disorder) or, B Cell Lymphoma Cancer. The doctors know what causes this, as it is very common in transplant recipients. The medication I take everyday, to make sure my body does not reject my heart, lowers my immune system. This allowed the cancer cells to grow. There is a few ways to fight this. First, they lowered my immune suppression medicine, somewhat giving me an immune system, but sadly this did not work. Next, is 4 weekly treatments, of a drug called, Rituximub. This usually kills off the cells in most cases. If in the event, this does not work, then I will be set up to receive chemotherapy.
We have been spending a lot of time in Edmonton, at the Stollery Childrens Hospital, a place my family knows all too well. But, we are being strong, and fighting this new battle just like I have always done. I have been through a lot in my short life, but I never let it stop me. I fight, and I always smile, even when it's really tough.
My name is Kaleb Eli Busch, I am only 4 years old, and this is my story.
My journey began on March 15, 2011. I was born in Lloydminster SK, to my mommy Terry-Lynn, and daddy, Owen Busch. My birth came fast and unexpected as I suffered a myocardial infarction, or massive heart attack, while my mom was still pregnant with me. The doctors in Lloydmisnter sent me to Edmonton, where my road to recovery, began.
I was placed on ECMO, or life support the day I got there. The doctors did not have much hope and gave my parents the grim news that my little heart could not be repaired, and I probably wouldn't make it throughout the night. Much to everyone's surprise, I did, and the doctors decided to list me on the heart transplant recipient list. A list where many people, wait and some, never get their hearts. I waited 6 days, and got my gift, a second chance, my new heart. I stayed in the hospital, for almost 2 months, then I got to come home. Life was going good, until I got sick. When I was about 6 months old, I contracted rota virus, something all little kids get, but I could not fight it on my own. Due to dehydration, we had to go back to the hospital for a little while. When I was almost a year old, I caught a cold. It was a cold that didn't seem to want to go away. After almost 3 months of this, and many tests, the doctors discovered I had PCP pneumonia. A bacterial infection in my lungs, common to transplant recipients. I was sent to the PICU, and put on a ventilator. After 42 days, I got to go home. A short time later, the doctors told my parents that my neutraphils were very low and they did not know why. Your body needs neutraphils in order to fight off infections. I was not able to do this on my own. So mommy had to give me a needle everyday to force my body to make them, it hurt real bad, but, as time went on, my body took over and fixed my problem.
It was almost time for my 2nd birthday. Mommy and daddy noticed somethings with me had changed. I no longer crawled, or stood or even sat up by myself. They took me to a special hospital in Edmonton, called the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, where a team of doctors and therapists, diagnosed me with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. They told my parents, sometime in my short life, I had a stroke, and this is what caused this. They said I may never walk, but I have a walker and try my hardest! They also said I may never talk, but again, I don't left that stop me from trying. I can say lots of words. I have a wheelchair and a walker, and Mommy and Daddy let me try anything that any other little kid can do, the only limit I have, is what I place on myself.
Fast forward to almost 4 years old. I was not feeling too well and I was losing weight. This carried on for a few months, until the doctors decided I needed to have an internal scope done. And, the diagnosis of this scope, Celiac Disease. I cannot digest the protein gluten, which is in almost everything...so after a couple months of a new diet, getting used to new foods and giving up foods I loved, I started gaining weight again! The food isn't always the best, but mommy found a way to make the foods I always ate, just safer for me.
Now here we are, on my newest, and toughest journey yet. At one of my appointments in December, mommy saw a lump on my neck. The doctors took action right away. After ultrasounds, blood tests and a PET CT scan, my parents worst nightmare came true. I was diagnosed with PTLD (Post Transplant Lymphproliferative Disorder) or, B Cell Lymphoma Cancer. The doctors know what causes this, as it is very common in transplant recipients. The medication I take everyday, to make sure my body does not reject my heart, lowers my immune system. This allowed the cancer cells to grow. There is a few ways to fight this. First, they lowered my immune suppression medicine, somewhat giving me an immune system, but sadly this did not work. Next, is 4 weekly treatments, of a drug called, Rituximub. This usually kills off the cells in most cases. If in the event, this does not work, then I will be set up to receive chemotherapy.
We have been spending a lot of time in Edmonton, at the Stollery Childrens Hospital, a place my family knows all too well. But, we are being strong, and fighting this new battle just like I have always done. I have been through a lot in my short life, but I never let it stop me. I fight, and I always smile, even when it's really tough.
My name is Kaleb Eli Busch, I am only 4 years old, and this is my story.
Organizer
Cindy Mckee-Broadbelt
Organizer
Lloydminster (Part), AB