Born on the 29/01/1990, one month premature, he survived his first night via Gavage tube feeding, and hastened specialist care. He became what is known as a " Kidney Kid"
He lived in the Hospital constantly for the first 3 months of his life!
Other complications came to light, among them being Hydrocephalus, where no natural tube drains brain fluid down the spine, another rare genetic disorder, non-life threatening, but with the need for later surgeries, and complications.
Kidney kids have little appetite, therefore bolus feeding through nasal gastric tube was required to live, later, a special stomach button was inserted and he was fed cyclic style at night on special milk, until aged 8 years.
A plethora of physical problems, accompanied by an iron clad will to live, kept him alive, too many operations, even before the kidney transplant from a deceased donor, to mention.
Suffice to say, his records required a trolley to transport all the years of information around.
Even with his FTT ( Failure to Thrive), Corey used it to learn commando style crawl. Did not walk until he was 2 years old being far too weak.
Through it all at early stage, he enjoyed his life, laughed and even pulled pranks. A joy then, an angel in disguise, and still the same today!
Later, age 3 1/2 after a complex stomach operation to relieve severe reflux, an accident happened, which took his life long enough to cause " Acquired Brain Injury" Corey was never to be the same, yet that young man still shone forth despite known memory loss, and ability to do basic academics in school. What he would learn in a day, he would forget quickly. Repetition kept things going, he still relies upon this method today.
His tiny undersized kidneys, were useful until he was around 4 yrs old thanks to medications, then of course the "Reflux Neuropathy" as it’s known required him to be placed on haemodialysis.
Small veins did not allow for regular fistula, but instead a central line into Internal Jugular at that time. A fistula in left leg was attempted, but this surgery put his life at risk, with vascular surgeons having to fight to keep him alive following complications.
Age 8 yrs., after being placed on emergency donor list, a kidney became available!
Sadly, someone perished in order for this to happen for him and all others donated too.
A Gift of life, a gift which worked immediately, to give him 18 yrs. of dialysis free motoring.
Nothing is perfect, fine tuning, anti-rejection drugs and again many hospital visits. Kidney Kid, Hospital Kid, so we all learned to live with and enjoy him when he was at home, making the most of our time.
Fast forward, as 28 yrs. is a long time, after two life flight emergency hops, to Auckland from Taranaki, with pericardial effusion (fluid around heart) and lungs also, twice not expected to live, twice blessed and still alive!!
2016 this kidney kids Journey with the special kidney gift ended. Corey now survives via haemodialysis again, suffers complications as before with small veins. He is back on dialysis via a central line.
Years of constant probing has left damage untold as it does. Tests for another kidney are completed now, and his blood type is common, but what the latest scans reveal, the complexities of another transplant, are unknown yet! Firstly, one must be found, a deceased or live donor, and secondly, he needs to stay alive long enough to have this 2nd chance!
We know the risks, we know the work up, we know the operation and its marvels, the surgeons and all involved. What we don’t know is when, or even if. The odds of that precious gift once again.
It would be more than precious gift now, it’s a lifesaver we are hoping for, as central lines are only good for X amount of time.
We hope, we pray, but most of all we’ve learned, he has learned (Corey) himself has learned that each day is a gift.
I’ve written this for my son, as he would not have the ability as stated before to write it himself, greatly condensed.
My Name is Mum, his full time Caregiver, with hope do I submit Coreys Story.
Hope to inspire, hope to encourage, hope to receive that gift again.
Corey received another Cadaver Donor Transplant on the 05/01/2020
It was well organised, and the operation to remove the old Dead Kidney, Insert and plumb in the New one, no mean feat, but it began working immediately. Dialysis was needed for a couple of sessions, then the Fistula left, not to be used again. Back to the Immune suppressant drugs to trick the body into thinking it belonged there. Back to endless blood tests and Consultant visits for a whole year. Now whittled down to every three months. He's living a fairly normal life now, for as long as the kidney donated lasts. Modern medicine is a marvel indeed, though the drawbacks are not to be forgotten. Someone died in order that he might live, and for that we never forget the sacrifice, from someone's Son or Daughter. Every day the methods are improving, more are receiving as people actually get sicker, in this day and age of fast food, and drinking. For now we live by Gods good grace, and we are thankful. Blessings to all those experiencing the same future.
Love Mum.
Corey's fight for life is inspiring. My younger twin brothers were also born a month premature, but have experienced no aftereffects and are healthier than my twin brother and I, largely because they didn't have the childhood diseases that we had 16 years earlier.
Re-Release! No longer back-listed. Return to the Olde Ways. The hustle and bustle of modern day life has brought many of us to a quick fix attitude.This book is for those of you who are fed up; have looked at your life and your loved ones and realize
