Meet Gio! (Giovonni) Our sweet, energetic, happy little miracle boy is almost 1 year old! Gio hasn’t always been so full of energy, but he’s always been a fighter. Having PCOS and unsure if I could conceive, we were over the moon when we found out we were pregnant. My smooth pregnancy took a dramatic turn in my 8th month, however, when I developed preeclampsia. Bedrest turned into induction, and then an emergency c-section when Gio’s heart rate became irregular and my blood pressure continued to rise. 

Gio entered the world at 5 lbs and 15 oz. He had to go to the NICU right away because, being born early, his lungs weren’t fully developed and he needed time for them to get strong enough to breathe on his own. Because I was also on oxygen and my blood pressure was so elevated, I couldn’t visit him. I could only see my precious boy via the hospital webcam as I pumped his milk and prayed. Those days when I couldn’t hold or even be near my new baby boy were the hardest days of my life. He was on a feeding tube, oxygen, so many tubes, he looked so little and sick. He developed meningitis and sepsis, and there were so many ups and downs in his NICU stay. But he was a tough little guy and fought through it all to finally come home. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. There was so much joy and love surrounding this sweet boy. 

At four months old, his appetite severely declined. The pediatrician diagnosed him with a cold and said as he felt better, his appetite should improve. After a couple of days, we returned and noticing that his stomach felt tight, we were sent for x-rays. The next day, Gio was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with CNS, congenital nephrotic syndrome, a rare, severe kidney disorder that requires a kidney transplant. Our whole world came crashing down with this news. He was in the hospital for a month and a half. He had to have a port placed and a G-tube placed for nutrition. We learned to do albumin and Lasix treatments so we could eventually care for him at home. It was overwhelming and so scary. 

We finally came home and settled into our new routine of overnight treatments and caring for our sick little guy. We had only been home a month when he had to be admitted again for a fever. He had a terrible infection in his port that resulted in the port being removed, and the decision was made to go ahead and do the nephrectomy (kidney removal) now. They found an umbilical hernia and repaired that as well. He was in so much pain, it was heartbreaking. But after another month and a half in the hospital, he finally came home. He was doing so much better, eating well, and had much less puffiness. I thought maybe we’re actually in the clear until he can get the kidney transplant! But once again, our time at home was short-lived, and after about a month and a half, in December, he started throwing up and became lethargic with a fever. We went to the doctor, and he had to be admitted to the hospital with Norovirus. He fought through all of that to finally come home on Christmas Eve. Our little miracle. The best Christmas present we’ve ever received! 

Gio currently takes his treatments overnight, sees 8 different specialists, has physical therapy twice a week, and occasional bloodwork. He’s such a brave boy through it all and is doing well. We are constantly amazed at the strength and good nature he possesses through all of this. He’s a ball of energy, loves Paw Patrol, playing with his family, and anything that lights up. He has the best laugh and laughs often. We are so grateful to have him in our lives and can’t wait for the time when he doesn’t have to fight so hard for his health. Please consider donating to COTA on behalf of sweet little Gio to help us with the costs related to the kidney transplant.  

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.