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August 2003 Michael O'Connor was 21, newly married and seemingly healthy. He was very young when diagnosed with Alports Syndrome, but he had never been sick and was coming into the prime of his life.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with Alports Syndrome it is an inherited disease that causes progressive kney damage, hearing loss, abnormalities of the eyes, high blood pressure, hematuria, proteinuria and swelling of the legs.
In February 2005, Mike began to feel very weak and tired. After a quick visit to the doctor he was informed that he was in end stage renal failure, cause by Alports disease requiring a kidney transplant. Within two weeks he was on dialysis and endured many long, restless nights due to the swelling of his legs and feet causing extreme discomfort and pain.
In June 2006 he was no longer able to work and placed on FMLA. After 18 months of dialysis a match was found and surgery schedule for April 2006. However, the surgery had to be postponed due to medical complications with the donor.
Over the next couple of months the transplant team was able to pinpoint was caused the medical reaction and now knew how to prevent it. With the original donor willing to try again the transplant was a success in October 2006. Within weeks Mike was feeling tremendously better and able to return to work a couple months later.
Over the last 8 years Mike and Valerie (wife) had two precious girls, Alyssa (7) and Khloe (3). They bought a home, paid off the remaining medical bills and have created a stable, normal life for their family.
They hoped they would never have to experience anything like this again, but the reality is that a kidney in his body would only last 10-15 years because of the Alports Syndrome.
This past summer, 2014, Mike's creatine started to elevate, he began to retain fluid, and became very weak. What was supposed to be a follow up visit at MUSC in Charleston, turned into a three day admission. His kidney is rejecting and his blood pressure has become dangerously high.
Over the last couple of months and several trips to MUSC things still continue to quickly deteriorate. While the doctors continue to administer steroids to slow the rejection, they are still trying to find a medication that will manage his blood pressure.
As of January 2015 his kidney function is at 23%; the doctors believe that by spring he will be at 20% at which point he can be added to the donor list. Until then he continues to work his 12 hours shifts at a local plant in the furnace department. However, although he enjoys his job it is becoming exceedlingly difficult each day to keep moving. His main position is in the furnace room which requires him to deal with high temperatures (100 degrees plus). Due to this, dehydration and diffculty breathing for him has become a major issue and concern.
His current job offers six months disability and he would like to get as close as he can to the transplant before going on FMLA. However, the lower the percent of the kidney function the worse he will feel. The simple fact is that once on the national transplant list the current wait for a cadaver kidney could be as long as 7 years. His primary concern is for his family and making sure they are provided for. But his declining health and increasing medical bills are going to present a major challenge and impact for him and his family.
Although they know that this road is not going to be easy, their faith is strong and they believe that God will continue to show favor upon their family. Please help Mike and his family by donating funds towards medical bills, treatments and his kidney transplant. This is an opportunity for you to help a family fight a battle that could financially wipe them out. This is an opportunity to give two beautiful and precious children their daddy back. This is an opportunity to show everyone that no matter what tribulations we endure, we have angels by our side to help us along the way.
Anyone that is willing to be tested can send an email to hopeformike@aol.com. If you would like to help Mike and his family with a monetary donation please click on the link at the top of this page.
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