Team Super Cj
Donation protected
CJ’s story began in February 2010, four months before his due date. Elizabeth and Courtney were told that their baby would be born with birth defects that were “not compatible with life”. The treatment options were a medically indicated abortion or deliver an infant with no chance of survival. His lungs would be under - developed and he would have no kidney function.
CJ was born two months later and immediately transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Michigan. Because of his compromised lung function, he was sustained on a high frequency ventilator. He underwent surgery for placement of a dialysis catheter and to correct the urinary tract obstruction which had damaged his kidneys. “God’s Little Miracle” won his first battle and came home on his due date in May.
By July 2010 CJ’s kidney function had improved enough to remove the dialysis catheter. His lab results showed consistent improvement and he graduated to routine care for his kidney disease (Chronic Kidney Disease Stage III).
CJ is now an energetic eight – year old boy. While he has grown, his kidneys have not. Recent testing shows a decline in kidney function over the past four months. One kidney is not functioning and the other is functioning at about 20% (CKD Stage IV).
Despite an occasional wheeze and nebulizer treatment, there is no slowing CJ down. He looks and acts like a typical eight-year old. He has an amazing imagination and a knack for delivering one-liners. He likes to dress up and has become quite the dancer. He lives for sports, especially basketball and knows the numbers of almost every player in the NBA and North Star League. He has never complained except to have his blood drawn or take medicine that “tastes nasty”. One a bad day he is tired, fighting a headache and won’t eat – even McDonalds. Those are the days when he says he just wants a new kidney.
CJ has defied all the odds, but he is beginning a new battle for his health and his life. We feel very fortunate he has done so well and that we have had the resources to cover the expenses associated with his medical care. We know the frequency and intensity of his treatment will increase significantly as he has more testing, surgery, begins dialysis and receives his transplant. More treatment means more sleepless nights, more trips to Ann Arbor, meals out, extended hotel stays, lost wages, child care, medication and equipment. Raising a chronically ill child is stressful and a financial challenge, even for the most skilled parents. As grandparents, our goal is to provide CJ with the support he needs and the best care possible. Your gift will help to make that happen. Please also keep CJ and our family in your thoughts and prayers.
CJ was born two months later and immediately transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Michigan. Because of his compromised lung function, he was sustained on a high frequency ventilator. He underwent surgery for placement of a dialysis catheter and to correct the urinary tract obstruction which had damaged his kidneys. “God’s Little Miracle” won his first battle and came home on his due date in May.
By July 2010 CJ’s kidney function had improved enough to remove the dialysis catheter. His lab results showed consistent improvement and he graduated to routine care for his kidney disease (Chronic Kidney Disease Stage III).
CJ is now an energetic eight – year old boy. While he has grown, his kidneys have not. Recent testing shows a decline in kidney function over the past four months. One kidney is not functioning and the other is functioning at about 20% (CKD Stage IV).
Despite an occasional wheeze and nebulizer treatment, there is no slowing CJ down. He looks and acts like a typical eight-year old. He has an amazing imagination and a knack for delivering one-liners. He likes to dress up and has become quite the dancer. He lives for sports, especially basketball and knows the numbers of almost every player in the NBA and North Star League. He has never complained except to have his blood drawn or take medicine that “tastes nasty”. One a bad day he is tired, fighting a headache and won’t eat – even McDonalds. Those are the days when he says he just wants a new kidney.
CJ has defied all the odds, but he is beginning a new battle for his health and his life. We feel very fortunate he has done so well and that we have had the resources to cover the expenses associated with his medical care. We know the frequency and intensity of his treatment will increase significantly as he has more testing, surgery, begins dialysis and receives his transplant. More treatment means more sleepless nights, more trips to Ann Arbor, meals out, extended hotel stays, lost wages, child care, medication and equipment. Raising a chronically ill child is stressful and a financial challenge, even for the most skilled parents. As grandparents, our goal is to provide CJ with the support he needs and the best care possible. Your gift will help to make that happen. Please also keep CJ and our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Organizer
Arch Gail Kane
Organizer
Au Gres, MI
