Rowan's Kidney Transplant Journey
Donation protected
At 20 weeks pregnant, Justin and I found out that our baby had LUTO (Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction), or sometimes referred to as BOO (Bladder Outlet Obstruction). This is when there is a blockage of the baby’s urinary tract so he can’t release urine or make amniotic fluid to grow and develop in. This backup of urine can cause damage to the bladder and kidneys, and no amniotic fluid can cause underdeveloped lungs. These are all life-threatening conditions. I don’t think I really even heard everything that the doctor said at the moment that he told us, I just felt the world crashing down around us. For weeks, we prayed for a healthy baby and then we find out he isn’t healthy, and may not even survive at all.
We were referred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital because they specialize in caring for babies with this condition. We spent 3 days getting tests done to determine if anything could be done to help him. From then on, Justin and I made the 3-hour road trip back and forth from Toledo to Cincinnati almost every week where I had procedures done to try to keep our baby growing. The procedure was called an amnioinfusion, which means they insert a long needle through my belly into the amniotic sac and fill it up with saline to replace the lost amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is necessary for lung development, which is always the biggest priority for a baby. The first time I had this procedure done, it was one of the most painful, traumatic experiences of my life.
I made it successfully through four total amnioinfusions, but during the fifth procedure when I was 29 weeks pregnant, my water broke. Once they confirmed that I wasn’t in active labor, they set me up in a hospital room where I would live until Rowan decided to arrive. Exactly three weeks later, I woke up with intense cramps around 3:00 am and I KNEW they were contractions. This wasn’t how I imagined giving birth. Justin wasn’t there with me yet (he was still in Toledo working), it was still early at only 32 weeks pregnant, and there were still so many unknowns. About four hours later, sweet Rowan Lance was born on April 26, 2019, weighing 4 lbs and 0.7 oz. I was able to hold him for about one minute before they had to take him from me. Once he was stable, they transferred him to Cincinnati Children’s NICU. By then, Justin had arrived and was able to ride in the ambulance with him during the transfer.
Rowan was in the NICU for 4.5 months and then stayed on the Nephrology floor for 2 weeks before we were able to bring him home. Rowan now has a ureterostomy (which is how he releases urine since his bladder is blocked and damaged) and is on oxygen 24/7 (his lungs are still developing). He is in end-stage renal failure and is on dialysis for 12 hours every night until he is big enough to have a kidney transplant. Rowan gets 13 doses of medication every day, weekly shots and infusions, and has monthly bloodwork and appointments in Cincinnati to make sure everything is going well. He will also have a few more surgeries before he is able to have a transplant, but they won't be until later this year. Through all of this, Rowan has been so strong and brave and is the happiest little baby we know! He is our little warrior and we are grateful to be his parents!
Thanks so much for supporting us on this journey and for all of the prayers and love we have received so far. Our goal of $40,000 was recommended to us by the transplant organization, but we appreciate any amount and any prayers!
Love, the Couches ♥
We were referred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital because they specialize in caring for babies with this condition. We spent 3 days getting tests done to determine if anything could be done to help him. From then on, Justin and I made the 3-hour road trip back and forth from Toledo to Cincinnati almost every week where I had procedures done to try to keep our baby growing. The procedure was called an amnioinfusion, which means they insert a long needle through my belly into the amniotic sac and fill it up with saline to replace the lost amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is necessary for lung development, which is always the biggest priority for a baby. The first time I had this procedure done, it was one of the most painful, traumatic experiences of my life.
I made it successfully through four total amnioinfusions, but during the fifth procedure when I was 29 weeks pregnant, my water broke. Once they confirmed that I wasn’t in active labor, they set me up in a hospital room where I would live until Rowan decided to arrive. Exactly three weeks later, I woke up with intense cramps around 3:00 am and I KNEW they were contractions. This wasn’t how I imagined giving birth. Justin wasn’t there with me yet (he was still in Toledo working), it was still early at only 32 weeks pregnant, and there were still so many unknowns. About four hours later, sweet Rowan Lance was born on April 26, 2019, weighing 4 lbs and 0.7 oz. I was able to hold him for about one minute before they had to take him from me. Once he was stable, they transferred him to Cincinnati Children’s NICU. By then, Justin had arrived and was able to ride in the ambulance with him during the transfer.
Rowan was in the NICU for 4.5 months and then stayed on the Nephrology floor for 2 weeks before we were able to bring him home. Rowan now has a ureterostomy (which is how he releases urine since his bladder is blocked and damaged) and is on oxygen 24/7 (his lungs are still developing). He is in end-stage renal failure and is on dialysis for 12 hours every night until he is big enough to have a kidney transplant. Rowan gets 13 doses of medication every day, weekly shots and infusions, and has monthly bloodwork and appointments in Cincinnati to make sure everything is going well. He will also have a few more surgeries before he is able to have a transplant, but they won't be until later this year. Through all of this, Rowan has been so strong and brave and is the happiest little baby we know! He is our little warrior and we are grateful to be his parents!
Thanks so much for supporting us on this journey and for all of the prayers and love we have received so far. Our goal of $40,000 was recommended to us by the transplant organization, but we appreciate any amount and any prayers!
Love, the Couches ♥
Organizer
Amanda Couch
Organizer
Waterville, OH