When Max was two, he was displaying what appeared to be flu-like symptoms for several days. His family was very worried that he wasn’t starting to feel better. Eventually, due to his complex symptoms, Max was admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Soon after admission, Max’s parents Mitchell and Raechel learned the unimaginable – Max was in respiratory and kidney failure and would need emergency hemodialysis to do the work for his failing kidneys.

His parents spent the next 58 days with Max at Nationwide Children’s, taking turns bouncing back and forth from their home to spend time with their older daughter. Almost two weeks into Max’s admission, kidney biopsy results had shown that he would require ongoing daily dialysis and eventually need a kidney transplant. The Cardiology team also found that Max had a heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which leads to an abnormally high heart rate because of an extra electrical pathway in his heart.

“This news left us completely devastated as parents, but we made a commitment to absorb as much as we could from the team at Nationwide Children’s so we could be advocates for Max throughout his journey. Our brave little toddler went through numerous operations and procedures and nearly a year of peritoneal dialysis with us at home each night for 12 hours per day – and still found the energy to enjoy life. He will continue to be an inspiration to us for his positive outlook on life and his caring demeanor,” says Mitchell, Max’s dad.

In December 2016, Max got his long-awaited miracle. He received a new kidney from his mom, who was a direct donor match.

Today, Max is a healthy, vibrant 5-year-old who loves superheroes, riding his bike and playing at the playground with his big sister. Nothing holds him back.

“The circumstances that we faced may have felt challenging at the time, but we are so blessed to have the team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital on ‘Marvelous Maxwell’s’ side,” says Mitchell.

The Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program, also known as the Renal Transplant Program, is part of the Nephrology Department and serves children and adolescents in need of a kidney transplant due to birth anomalies, disease processes and acute/chronic kidney injury. In addition to transplant nephrologists and transplant surgeons, the support team includes transplant nurses, social workers and dietitians.

“Having Nationwide Children’s this close to us gives us incredible comfort. Max has very unique needs and knowing that our team is 20 minutes away allows us to enjoy life with him,” says Mitchell.

https://flutter.nationwidechildrens.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Max-.jpg

• Name: Max .Max
• Condition(s): Kidney Transplant
• Age at Treatment: 2

When Max was two, he was displaying what appeared to be flu-like symptoms for several days. His family was very worried that he wasn’t starting to feel better. Eventually, due to his complex symptoms, Max was admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Soon after admission, Max’s parents Mitchell and Raechel learned the unimaginable – Max was in respiratory and kidney failure and would need emergency hemodialysis to do the work for his failing kidneys.

His parents spent the next 58 days with Max at Nationwide Children’s, taking turns bouncing back and forth from their home to spend time with their older daughter. Almost two weeks into Max’s admission, kidney biopsy results had shown that he would require ongoing daily dialysis and eventually need a kidney transplant. The Cardiology team also found that Max had a heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which leads to an abnormally high heart rate because of an extra electrical pathway in his heart.

“This news left us completely devastated as parents, but we made a commitment to absorb as much as we could from the team at Nationwide Children’s so we could be advocates for Max throughout his journey. Our brave little toddler went through numerous operations and procedures and nearly a year of peritoneal dialysis with us at home each night for 12 hours per day – and still found the energy to enjoy life. He will continue to be an inspiration to us for his positive outlook on life and his caring demeanor,” says Mitchell, Max’s dad.

In December 2016, Max got his long-awaited miracle. He received a new kidney from his mom, who was a direct donor match.

Today, Max is a healthy, vibrant 5-year-old who loves superheroes, riding his bike and playing at the playground with his big sister. Nothing holds him back.

“The circumstances that we faced may have felt challenging at the time, but we are so blessed to have the team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital on ‘Marvelous Maxwell’s’ side,” says Mitchell.

The Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program, also known as the Renal Transplant Program, is part of the Nephrology Department and serves children and adolescents in need of a kidney transplant due to birth anomalies, disease processes and acute/chronic kidney injury. In addition to transplant nephrologists and transplant surgeons, the support team includes transplant nurses, social workers and dietitians.

“Having Nationwide Children’s this close to us gives us incredible comfort. Max has very unique needs and knowing that our team is 20 minutes away allows us to enjoy life with him,” says Mitchell.