Connor's Kidney Transplant and PBS Support
Donation protected
Connor is compassionate, funny, resilient, and an incredibly smart kiddo. His personality is bright and infectious - you can’t help but smile when he smiles and his eyes light up or can’t help but join in his giggles or can’t help but lean in a bit more as he begins to talk to you about something he is passionate about. He’s an amazing big brother to his younger brother, Gabe, and has a special place for his younger brother in his heart since the day Gabe was born.
Connor is a fighter. He is strong-willed. He is a gift in this world. That’s actually what his name means: “Strong-willed gift from God”
On June 2nd, 2010 Connor Nathaniel Gottschalk roared into this world with strong cries and a strong grip. It was a relief but a fleeting moment as doctors whisked him away to the NICU. You see, no one really quite knew what to expect at Connor’s birth.
Earlier that same year in February, during Melissa’s 22nd week of pregnancy, an ultrasound discovered a major problem with Connor’s development. His bladder was huge (taking up most of his abdominal cavity) and not emptying into the womb to help create amniotic fluid. His abdominal region ballooned outward and occupied so much space where ‘everything else’ should be. This complication is commonly known as Prune Belly Syndrome, and a week after the initial ultrasound Melissa and Connor went under a procedure in-utero that would help ensure his survival until the end of term. He still came a few weeks early and unexpectedly.
Prune Belly Syndrome (PBS) is rare and occurs in only 1 in 40,000 births. That’s about only 100 kids per year in the entire US. It is known to cause many problems including urological, kidney, hip, intestinal, and respiratory from underdeveloped lungs. Connor was not spared much in many of those areas, but thankfully, his lungs were fully developed and very strong. We weren’t sure how his lungs would be at birth, so hearing those early and strong cries were a huge relief.
Connor spent five weeks in the NICU before he came home. During that time Melissa and I learned the extent of Connor’s complications: malrotated intestines, a weak and oversized bladder, lack of abdominal muscles, hip dysplasia, club foot, spinal tether cord, and most importantly a single underdeveloped kidney that was in an advanced stage of renal failure – meaning it would need to be replaced through a kidney transplant someday.
Connor has undergone almost a dozen surgical procedures over the last nine years to help correct problems or improve life and chronic issues inherent from having these types of complications. He’s taken thousands of doses of medications from prescriptions to help maintain certain chemical levels in the bloodstream his kidney can’t, attended hundreds of clinic appointments across five different areas of specialties, been poked with a needle for labs more than he cares to remember, his development delayed in several areas… and through it all, he still maintains joy and amazes us every day while simply being this amazing kid. He’s persisted, as has that little kidney of his.
In April of 2019, we learned that Connor reached an important milestone: Connor had roughly six more months before he would need dialysis due to kidney failure. That kidney of his had done all it could for as long as it could, but now was the time to find a donor. We learned that Melissa is a perfect match and will be the donor! Connor thinks it’s pretty cool that he’s going to get his kidney from his mom. Sometimes he ponders if he’ll inherit some of his mama’s traits with her kidney being part of him!
The transplant date is on July 11th. The ‘new’ reality that surrounds that transplant and its outcome are quickly making us feel the gravity of this situation – from the daily medications to new home and social routines to the financial stresses.
Connor’s other medical needs do not go away with this transplant. Numerous parts of Connor’s daily care are either only partially covered by insurance or not covered at all yet are all still necessary. Post-transplant care will only add to that burden. Our family is asking for assistance to help ensure that the burden is lessened so that there is never a question or doubt as to what kind of care he needs or can afford.
Connor is a true joy to know and a gift for us to love. When he entered this world, he changed our lives forever. There’s just something about him, and you know that he’s going to have a huge impact on this world. Ask anyone who’s ever crossed paths with that kiddo. His best life is ahead of him as are those who have yet to meet him and be touched by his story and his character. We as a family hope that we will be able to help provide him everything he needs to give him that life. Connor, Melissa, Gabe and I thank you for your support!
Please consider sharing this page with others.
With much love and gratitude,
Craig, Melissa, Gabe, and Connor
If you want to dive deeply into Connor’s journey, you can visit his old blog site at: https://chalklove.wordpress.com/
Connor is a fighter. He is strong-willed. He is a gift in this world. That’s actually what his name means: “Strong-willed gift from God”
On June 2nd, 2010 Connor Nathaniel Gottschalk roared into this world with strong cries and a strong grip. It was a relief but a fleeting moment as doctors whisked him away to the NICU. You see, no one really quite knew what to expect at Connor’s birth.
Earlier that same year in February, during Melissa’s 22nd week of pregnancy, an ultrasound discovered a major problem with Connor’s development. His bladder was huge (taking up most of his abdominal cavity) and not emptying into the womb to help create amniotic fluid. His abdominal region ballooned outward and occupied so much space where ‘everything else’ should be. This complication is commonly known as Prune Belly Syndrome, and a week after the initial ultrasound Melissa and Connor went under a procedure in-utero that would help ensure his survival until the end of term. He still came a few weeks early and unexpectedly.
Prune Belly Syndrome (PBS) is rare and occurs in only 1 in 40,000 births. That’s about only 100 kids per year in the entire US. It is known to cause many problems including urological, kidney, hip, intestinal, and respiratory from underdeveloped lungs. Connor was not spared much in many of those areas, but thankfully, his lungs were fully developed and very strong. We weren’t sure how his lungs would be at birth, so hearing those early and strong cries were a huge relief.
Connor spent five weeks in the NICU before he came home. During that time Melissa and I learned the extent of Connor’s complications: malrotated intestines, a weak and oversized bladder, lack of abdominal muscles, hip dysplasia, club foot, spinal tether cord, and most importantly a single underdeveloped kidney that was in an advanced stage of renal failure – meaning it would need to be replaced through a kidney transplant someday.
Connor has undergone almost a dozen surgical procedures over the last nine years to help correct problems or improve life and chronic issues inherent from having these types of complications. He’s taken thousands of doses of medications from prescriptions to help maintain certain chemical levels in the bloodstream his kidney can’t, attended hundreds of clinic appointments across five different areas of specialties, been poked with a needle for labs more than he cares to remember, his development delayed in several areas… and through it all, he still maintains joy and amazes us every day while simply being this amazing kid. He’s persisted, as has that little kidney of his.
In April of 2019, we learned that Connor reached an important milestone: Connor had roughly six more months before he would need dialysis due to kidney failure. That kidney of his had done all it could for as long as it could, but now was the time to find a donor. We learned that Melissa is a perfect match and will be the donor! Connor thinks it’s pretty cool that he’s going to get his kidney from his mom. Sometimes he ponders if he’ll inherit some of his mama’s traits with her kidney being part of him!
The transplant date is on July 11th. The ‘new’ reality that surrounds that transplant and its outcome are quickly making us feel the gravity of this situation – from the daily medications to new home and social routines to the financial stresses.
Connor’s other medical needs do not go away with this transplant. Numerous parts of Connor’s daily care are either only partially covered by insurance or not covered at all yet are all still necessary. Post-transplant care will only add to that burden. Our family is asking for assistance to help ensure that the burden is lessened so that there is never a question or doubt as to what kind of care he needs or can afford.
Connor is a true joy to know and a gift for us to love. When he entered this world, he changed our lives forever. There’s just something about him, and you know that he’s going to have a huge impact on this world. Ask anyone who’s ever crossed paths with that kiddo. His best life is ahead of him as are those who have yet to meet him and be touched by his story and his character. We as a family hope that we will be able to help provide him everything he needs to give him that life. Connor, Melissa, Gabe and I thank you for your support!
Please consider sharing this page with others.
With much love and gratitude,
Craig, Melissa, Gabe, and Connor
If you want to dive deeply into Connor’s journey, you can visit his old blog site at: https://chalklove.wordpress.com/
Organizer
Craig Gottschalk
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN