Stephen's Journey: Go State!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Go State!

In the hopes that PSU pulls out a win today against the Michigan Wolverines, here's a recent photo of Bill and I at the Penn State Homecoming game three weeks ago.

And I wouldn't be a good wife if I didn't also say, "Go Cocks!!" Hopefully the South Carolina Gamecocks will also pull out a win today and all will be happy in our household.

1 comment:

Jess SweigartOctober 30, 2010 at 9:24 PM
WE ARE.......................happy about the news yesterday!!! Wish we were closer so that we could ride this crazy roller coaster with you. We love you both so much. Stephen is one lucky little fellow to have the two of you for his parents.
Here's to a new and more hopeful week.
XOXOXO
Go Lions!!!!! Go Cocks!!!!!!
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Our Crazy Kidney Life

As many of you already know, our son Stephen, was born with a very rare kidney disease called Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD). When the disease was discovered during my 27th week of pregnancy, Stephen was given a less than 1% chance of living more than a few hours past birth. He was to have such severely underdeveloped lungs that the doctors said he would likely not even take one breath. However, on January 4, 2011, we were granted our 1st miracle - and Stephen came into this world crying (and breathing!) and fighting for his life with fierce determination. At 6 days old he had BOTH of his kidneys removed and began peritoneal dialysis. Stephen came home from the hospital when he was 59 days old requiring 12 hours of dialysis every night as well as enteral (feeding tube) feeds during the day and overnight.

On May 9, 2013, we were granted our 2nd miracle, in the form of a new kidney from an extremely generous friend. Stephen received a kidney from a non-related living donor at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He spent 13 days in the hospital recovering from his big surgery and ever since has been living life the fullest! His life is still a delicate balance of medications and weekly lab work, but he's an extremely vibrant, loving, active 2.5 year old.

This blog is Stephen's journey told through my eyes (his mother's), thoughts, and emotions, with extreme highs and lows. But there's no way we would be where we are today without all of the support, thoughts and prayers from our family, friends, and readers! Thank you!!