Isaac was born with Chronic Kidney Disease and “Bilateral Vesicouretal Reflux” which is an abnormal flow of urine from the bladder back up the tubes (ureters) that connect the kidneys to the bladder. The Bilateral Vesicouretal Reflux caused scarring in both kidneys. Pregnancy with Isaac was very easy, and we had no knowledge of his condition during the pregnancy. We did not learn of Isaac’s condition until he was 3 months old. He was sick with a fever, and I took him to urgent care for evaluation. The doctor took a urine sample during the appointment and found protein and glucose in his urine. We followed up with his pediatric doctor when he was no longer sick, and blood was found in urine the sample collected during this appointment. This prompted further testing, bloodwork, renal ultrasound and a Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) which is a study used to look at bladder and urethral abnormalities and to determine if there is ureteral reflux. Isaac was a true warrior at 3 months of age as he endured all this testing and continued to thrive. Following the testing, we learned that Isaac would have chronic dehydration as a result of the kidney damage.

Fast forward to today, Isaac has been able to grow into a strong thirteen-year-old teenager. However, the condition of his kidneys has declined, and he now requires closer monitoring and testing.  Isaac has been placed on the Stanford Children’s Health kidney waiting list with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to receive a lifesaving kidney transplant.

Our desire is for Isaac to forgo dialysis treatments and proceed straight to a kidney transplant when faced with that decision.  We are in hopes for a living donor transplant which typically lasts longer and has a better outcome. This will allow Isaac to have more time to do the things he truly enjoys the most such as baseball, scooter riding at the skate park with his friends, spending time with family, friends and his dog Diablo, and just being the fun-loving kid that we all know him to be. 

When considering transplant, pre- and post-doctor visits, travel and lodging, a lifetime of prescription medicines, and all the other miscellaneous expenses, it is very overwhelming. Thanks to COTA we have a way for family, friends, and others to help us along this journey.

If donating a kidney to Isaac is something you would like to consider, Julianne and Paul would be happy to tell you more about Isaac’s story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for Isaac.  You can also contact Isaac’s living donor coordinator Geri James, RN, BSN, CCTC.

Geri James RN, BSN, CCTC | Living Donor Coordinator
Kidney Transplant Department
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford
p (650) 498-4905 | f (650) 723-4312
GJames@stanfordchildrens.org

For those of you that want to help in another way thru this trying time, please consider a gift to COTA – ‘Children’s Organ Transplant Association’ in honor of Isaac. Your gift will assist with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses.

Thank you for taking the time to read this brief summary of Isaac’s story. Julianne, Paul, and Isabella sincerely thank you for all your prayers and support during this trying time. Having support during Isaac’s Journey is something we can’t thank you enough for, it is truly a blessing and means the world to our family.

Love You All!

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.