Jake's New Kidney Transplant!

Many of you know Jake's story by now, but for those who do not or who are new with us, let me update you!

Jacob served in the United States Marine Corp from 2006-2010. He fought for our country in Iraq. He served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. During this time in the Marines, Jacob was around several environmental hazards including burn pits where trash, chemicals, and so many other things were burned and inhaled into our service men's lungs. Jake was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma almost 9 years ago now and luckily has been in full remission since 2017. However, due to the grueling treatments needed to get him into remission he underwent 2 stem cell transplants. The Chemo used directly before his stem cell transplants ultimately scarred his lung tissue severely and his lungs were not able to sustain his life any longer.

On July 4th, 2021 Jacob was bless with a double lung transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He went into cardiac arrest several times during surgery and had many complications after the transplant which led him to needing to be on total life support including VA ECMO as well as being supported with a breathing tube on a ventilator which was totally breathing for him. His kidneys also took a massive hit due to the amount of medications and additional blood products that he needed to keep him alive. He was on a continuous dialysis machine because his kidneys were not functioning. A few months later during recovery he no longer needed dialysis but his kidneys have never fully healed. He has been in Chronic Kidney Failure Stage 4 (or late stage) since 07/04/2021. We knew he would eventually need a kidney transplant to allow him the best opportunity for living a long and healthy life.

On 11/23/23, we received a call stating they had a "pretty good kidney" available for transplant. This donor patient however had some medical history and we just weren't ready to take on a Kidney transplant with a donors organ that wasn't perfect for Jake due to how much he has already been through with his health.

Fast forward to CHRISTMAS DAY, 12/25/23, as I was sleeping getting ready to go into work at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and Jake was prepping for his family Christmas get together he received a phone call. "Mr. Brown! Merry Christmas! We have found the perfect kidney match for you, this opportunity may not ever present itself again with how well this kidney matches for you!". This was a decision we just could not pass up. There is something about this boy and his holidays!

Luckily, we have been told that recovery for this should not be nearly as bad or complicated as the double lung, praise GOD! However, as his primary care giver, I will have to miss work for a few weeks to ensure he is properly cared for and healing. We were very fortunate with the VA (Veteran's Affairs) fully covering Jake's entire Lung Transplant(since the Hodgkin's Lymphoma was 100% service connected during his service in the Marines), minus housing which was a massive expense on its own.

We don't know if we will be fortunate enough this time with the VA and his Kidney Transplant.

We appreciate anything and everything that will go towards taking care of Jacob during this incredibly hard chapter of our lives. We know God is in control and will watch over us. As Isaiah 41:10 states, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

With all our love, Jacob and Kaylee Brown!