Michael

Michael’s mother spent eight weeks on hospital bed rest before his birth. When he was just six hours old, he was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for pediatric nephrology care. His kidneys had not fully developed, leaving him with only about 8% kidney function. Doctors immediately recommended a transplant, but he needed to weigh at least 22 pounds before he could be placed on the transplant list. Additionally, Michael was born with a colorectal abnormality, requiring a colostomy bag. At just two days old, he underwent his first surgery. Though IV medications helped stabilize his kidney function, his body couldn’t remove toxins and waste properly, meaning dialysis was inevitable.

Just before he turned one month old, Michael had another surgery to place a dialysis catheter, marking the first step toward bringing him home. By four months, he was on dialysis 24/7 but could finally go home with nighttime dialysis sessions lasting 12 hours. At 10 months old, he was admitted for corrective surgery, which meant regular visits to the hospital’s dialysis center three times a week.

Michael’s family structured much of their life around his dialysis treatments. Since birth, he has undergone 11 surgeries. He relies on a feeding tube to meet his nutritional needs. His care involves multiple specialists, including nephrologists, dialysis nurses, dietitians, and a transplant team, all coordinated by the Complex Medical Care Team.

In August 2017, Michael was added to the National Kidney Registry, joining 115,000 others awaiting a transplant. A donor kidney would free him from dialysis and its associated risks. Unfortunately, neither of his parents were a match.

A living donor kidney can function for 15-20 years, significantly longer than the 8-10 years of a kidney from a deceased donor. This difference could determine whether Michael would need another transplant as a child or not until adulthood.

Michael’s family met Robyn in April 2017, when she personally delivered a superhero cape to him—something she does for children battling illness or disability. When Michael’s mom shared his story, including his surgeries, dialysis, and need for a donor, Robyn felt an immediate calling to be tested as a potential match. Two months of testing confirmed she was eligible to donate.

Doctors monitored Michael’s growth, ensuring he could fit his new kidney. Using 3D printing technology, they created a model of Robyn’s kidney and placed it against Michael every few weeks to determine readiness. Finally, his transplant was scheduled for January 2018.

On January 17, 2018, Michael received his new kidney. He spent only four days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and just seven days in the hospital before going home. His recovery has been remarkable. While the transplant won’t cure his kidney failure, it will allow him to live free from dialysis, giving him the childhood he deserves.

How CMN funds help Michael and kids like him:

Michael’s family is grateful for the unwavering support of the Child Life Specialists at Cardinal Glennon, who have been by their side throughout this journey. Their dedication has played a vital role in Michael’s transplant experience, offering comfort and guidance every step of the way.