Zachary's Story
By Stacey
Andover, MN

On December 17, 2003 my life changed forever. I gave birth to a 6lb 3oz baby boy not knowing the life struggles that he would endure. We named him Zachary. When Zachary was 2 weeks old the Doctors at Children's hospital told us that he was in kidney failure and would need a life saving Kidney Transplant to save his life. The next 11 months we lived in and out of the hospital with many surgeries, procedures, 21 medications and 24 Hr J-tube feeds.

When Zachary was 11 months old he was finally big enough to receive a life saving kidney transplant which my husband, his daddy, was a perfect match. On December 1, 2004, my husband donated one of his Kidney's to our 11 month old baby boy. I will never forget that day that they wheeled both my husband and my baby back to the operating room, I felt like someone was ripping my heart out of my chest and I was helpless. I prayed with lots of family and friends in the waiting room not knowing if my life was coming to an end. My whole life was in the hands of God and the surgeons. When the surgeon came out with a big smile on his face I knew that everything was going to be fine. Zachary's kidney started to work the minute they connected it to him and he peed all over the table. That first month Zachary had many surgeries, complications and countless infections. On Christmas Eve 24 days after our hero, his daddy gave him that second at life, we were all finally home as a family.

I also want people to know how important organ donation is. Without this life saving Transplant Zachary would not be here today. Many people don't realize that over 100,000 people are on a list waiting for that one phone call that could save their live, 17 people die every day that didn't get that call that they fought so hard to wait for. I don't want to be on of the 17 families that didn't get that call. So please make sure you check the box on your driver's license or let your loved ones know that you want to be an Organ Donor.

Zachary is now 6 years old and the last 6 years there have been a lot of ups and downs. Zachary has had over 30 surgeries, multiple infections and countless hospital stays. Zachary has had two Nissenfundelplaction's because of severe GI reflux. His Last Nissenfundelplacation did not go as planned and is on 24 Hour J-tube feeds. Having a Kidney Transplant is not a cure it is only to help improve his quality of life. Zachary is currently still on 34 medication every day, J-G tube feed for nutrition and he has a Mitrofanoff that I Catheterize him through daily. With all of these struggles you would think that he is a sick boy, on the inside he might be, but on the outside he runs and plays like any other 6 year old. He even learned to ride his bike this last summer without training wheels. Zachary will always have life struggles throughout his life. But NOTHING will hold him back!!

If you would like to get tested to see if you could be his HERO... Please call the Transplant center at 612 625-2186 Tell them that it is for Zachary age 6.