Izaiah’s Story (as told by his mother, Janelle)
Izaiah was born at 36 weeks in Chicago, Illinois, on a Thanksgiving weekend getaway. He was 6 lb 6 oz but the doctors soon found out he had an enlarged bladder and kidneys, which had caused his lungs to not fully develop. They took him by ambulance to a hospital that had neonatal care. He was there for a week and it was a roller coaster. They then decided he needed more advanced care and took him to a different hospital by ambulance. There he was on a respirator and feeding tubes. This was to help his lungs so he could breathe on his own. During that process, he had a collapsed lung. After about three weeks of being on all the machines, I was finally able to hold him.
They did further testing and found out he had what’s called “posterior urethral valves” — valves that grow in the wrong direction in the boy’s urethra, causing reflux to the kidneys, damaging the bladder and both kidneys. They did multiple surgeries to get rid of these valves. By the time they did what’s called a “vesicostomy,” one kidney had been completely damaged to very little function. So now he’s down to one. They told us that eventually the other kidney would give out as well because of the reflux and “dumb bladder,” as they call it.
He also has now what’s called an “apendico vesicostomy” which he will have for life. They were hoping the kidney would hold on to his teen/early adult years. Apparently, God had other plans. So now we are doing dialysis to get the kidney by till we find the perfect donor. Izaiah has named his perfect kidney match “Steve”!
Help Us Find “Steve” (the Kidney): #TeamIzzy
You can find out more information about kidney donation at www.uihealthcare.org. Plug in “organ donation” in the search bar. Izaiah is needing his donor to have A+ blood type and match his antibodies. Follow along with Izaiah on Facebook.
Interview with a Living Donor — Dr. Zac Watkins
1. What is your story of kidney donation? Who was the recipient?
I donated my kidney to my father in 2006. He previously was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder where cysts form on the kidney. I was in graduate school at the time, and my father had begun the process of getting ready for dialysis and had been listed on the transplant list. When we found out that family could donate (if no evidence of the disease was present), my brother and I stepped up to be tested.
We both were clear and joked that we just needed to “flip a coin” to see who would donate to our dad. Why would we make him wait and have dialysis three times per week if we could help him out?
It came down to me wanting to donate and moving forward to get it done. So I commited and the process began.
2. What was the process like for you as a whole?
Living in Minneapolis at the time made it a little more difficult as I had to drive back to the transplant center often for routine check-ups, physicals, and lots of blood work. I even remember meeting with psycologists and they would drill me with questions like, why do I want to do this, am I being pressured, etc. It was actually a good experience and they were thorough with me and my father. It’s hard for me to get worked up about situations like this. I was committed and just wanted to get the show on the road! But that was the most difficult part in the beginning. The center also kept in touch with me, often letting me know the process, where things were at, etc. The nursing staff was extremely helpful.
Finally, the timing worked out well because I was between terms at school.
3. What was the hardest part? Best part?
The hardest part was definitely the recovery. From what I hear, my father was sitting up after surgery, laughing, ready to eat and watch TV. I, on the other hand, felt as it I had been hit by a truck. I’m not going to lie — the (4-5) incisions in my abdomen were pretty painful and uncomfortable, but this was my first hospital experience and the nurses were phenomenal. They really helped me out and made me comfortable. I know others (my mother and wife) would tell you that morphine makes me crazy! I was laughing and talking crazy one minute, but then sobbing while watching Conan O’Brian.
But the best part was plain and simple: helping out my father. When your “why” is bigger than the “what and how,” it doesn’t matter. When I heard he was doing well, that’s all that mattered.
4. How has the experience changed you as a person?
I don’t think it really has changed me a lot. I like to have an eternal mindset with things. I’m only here for a short time — make the best of it.
But it has let me be an example to others I come across.
5. What would your advice be to someone thinking about donating an organ?
It seems scary and overwhelming, but it really is a seamless process anymore. Knowing that you are helping someone else is a very good feeling and helps you reflect on what really is important in life.
I would always think about “why” you would want to donate. Is it for a family member, a friend, or even a stranger? The “how” always will work itself out in the end.
I also would recommend getting as healthy as possible. Take care of yourself because that will help you speed recovery.
