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Give a gift in honor of this child.
Brendan
UPDATE: 9-12-05
Brendan is fine on the outside. But inside something is going
on. We are not sure what yet. One doctor thinks it is Crohns
disease. Another thinks it is PTLD. Post Transplant
Lymphoproliphic Disease - Cancer like. He still gets tests regularly.
UPDATE: 5-14-05
An update from Aunt Jody: 5/13/05
Brendan had a follow up visit today and they determined that all of
these problems have not affected his kidney so he will not need a
biopsy! Hooray! Also he seems to be making improvements and they may
lower his dose of steroids down. Another Hooray! I am sure that a lot of
his progress is because his spirits have been lifted by all of your
kindness. (The whole family has been uplifted for that matter.) We will
try to keep you posted as much as possible. In the meantime, Thank you
ALL!!!! Having a positive spirit can really feed the soul and do a lot
for your health and I truely believe you have all helped to do that!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
UPDATE: 5-11-05
Sean called this am and wanted me to send you all an email and update
you on Brennie. He doesn't have email at his work and they had a very
busy weekend with Bren. They were at the hospital all day yesterday with
him as he is swelling up, and his tummy was big and hard. So they took
him in first thing. After testing etc. they decided to lower his
steroids in half. The kidney tests showed the kidney is still
functioning good. They took one other test and haven't got the results
back from that yet. Bren is really moody from the steroids. Sean says he
cries over every little thing. Last night they had taco's and his shell
broke, so he started crying. They made him another one, and a piece of
tomatoe fell out so he started crying again. He cries all the time now .
I feel so sorry for him. He can't help his moodiness. I don't know how
long he will have to be on the steroids. So anyway, it is still day by
day, and he will have continual testing. We will keep you informed and
please keep praying for our little sweet boy. Thankyou. They still don't
know what is wrong with him.
UPDATE: 5-6-05
oK newest update. I saw B at the hospital last night. He is very
larthagic and out of it. They are giving him morphine to control
the pain. They wouldn't let him eat. He was very hungry and
wanted to eat. We talked to 2 Drs. Dr. J his regular kidney Dr.
and Dr. Barclay the stomach Dr. An expert looked at the slides
of B's biopsy. No PTLD and no cancer. That is a relief. What
a scare. But he is still in a lot of pain and they don't know
what it is. Both Drs have ruled out PTLD. Dr. Barclay never
was convinced that is what it was. But 3 others did. But not
anymore. Dr. Barclay asked us a series of questions trying to
figure things out. So did Dr. J and Dr. J stood outside talking
to the nurses for ever. One thing we did notice was that when
we took him off his immunosupressants last week he got better.
A lot better. Dr. Barclay said, "that is a road we don't want
to go down" as he walked out the door.
So for now Bren is still in pain but no answers.
NOTE: Brendan was with back in 2002 when he needed a kidney transplant.
Today he is back and I can't believe it. Please read his previous history
found below this current update.
UPDATE: 4-29-05
Yesterday we got the devastating news that they are almost certain that our 4 1/2
year old grandson Brendan has cancer. He is the one who had the kidney transplant
2 plus years ago. This morning he had a biospy on his intestines and lower stomach
to tell for sure. Brendan is in a lot of pain, we spent all day yesterday at the hospital,
all of us fighting back tears so he couldn't see us cry. Watching my son Sean hold his
son and rocking him with tears in his eyes made me fight tears all day long. Believe me,
we all cried all morning after getting the news. Brendan is having lots of pain in his lower
tummy and is on morphine for it, but when the morphine wears off, he starts crying in
pain. The IV also hurts him. 3 Dr.'s came in yesterday and talked to us. There is a long
word for what they think he has, but I can't tell u right now. It is associated with having
a transplant & and a low immune system.He is growing lympho nodes where they
shouldn't be and they have to be s! topped. Then last fall he got mono and he has gone
downhill ever since. Also had diarehea since November.
What he has can be treated. If it will stay treated is another question. It is gonna be
rough on him. Lots and lots of needles and chemo.And they won't know til tomorrow
how fast this has progressed, if it a slow growing one or a fast growing one. IF
everything goes right, and as the Dr. put it, there are no hidden tunnels, Brennie will
have 20 weeks of chemotherapy. It will take him a full year to get well, if, as I say,
if there are no added bumps along the way. The Dr. said the problelm is there is a fine
line to be careful, as they will have to lower his kidney rejection medicine while they do
chemo. And they can't lower it to much or his kidney will reject. There is also going to
be the problem of all the needles as they are already having trouble with his veins. And if
they put in a line, there is the problem with infection and he can't afford infection on top!
of all of this. We will not know for sure the results until t! omorrow after three Dr.'s go
over the results of his surgery today. But all three of them think this is what it is.The Dr.
said if he had to guess, Brendan's cancer, on a scale of one to ten, is a seven.
We need your prayers for our little boy. He has been through so much already, it is just
hard to believe he has to start all over again going through another very rough time. We
appreciate your prayers. Thankyou. God Bless...Sandy
UPDATE: 9-04-03
This is a forward from Sean this morning. It has made this
old 'Gamma' cry. I am sitting here with tears flowing......
One of the cutest most special things in Brendan's history happened tonight.
I got home around 8:30. As usual when I knock on the door I can hear Allie
inside asking Brendan who is at the door. He runs to the door to open it for
me. It feels so good to be greated by my two boys. Tonight Brendan had
to tell me something though. Allie told me to wait and listen to what Brendan
had to say. It was so important I couldn't even go change first or give Allie a
kiss. Brendan had to tell me about a birthday today. When Allie told him to
tell me who's birthday it was he looked at me with his cute smile and as he
pointed at his kidney he said, "It's my kidney's birthday."
Now that should be on one of those "Priceless" emails.
UPDATE: 9-03-03
Hi it is me, Brendan. Taken on Sun.
And YES, I am a miracle! Thanks for your
prayers for me. It has been a great year.
I am so glad I am not sick anymore. Kurt is my hero!!
This is a day to celebrate and thank God and Kurt for
what they have done for our little Brendan!! One year
ago today he had his kidney transplant! What a difference
a year has made. He is a healthy, happy little boy who has
been blessed with a miracle! In your prayers today, thank
God for what he has done for us, and thank Kurt for his
generous heart....and kidney!!!!
Celebrate LIFE for Brennie!!!
 
Brendan and his brother Ethan
UPDATE: 4-08-03
Brennie has had all prayers answered, he is a healthy
happy little boy. God bless his donor, Kurt.
UPDATE: 2-08-03
Here is Brendan who was 2 in Sept. and little bro
Ethan who will be 1 in March. These are Sean/Allie's
boys. Brendan is the one who had the transplant
and he is doing wonderful!!! No tubes and is sick
no more! Thanks to God & Kurt Goldberg!!!
He now has a normal life!!
UPDATE: 12-04-02
Brendan is doing excellent. It is as if nothing were ever wrong
with him. He is growning mentally and physically everyday. He
still has not learned how to eat yet though. But, he is doing great.
Sean
UPDATE: 11-06-02
Brendan is having surgery today to have his dialysis
tube removed! Praise God. That means his kidney
is working and they don't expect any more problems! AMEN.
Thank God and Kurt for making this all possible.
Miracles STILL DO HAPPEN!!!
AMEN and AMEN!!!
UPDATE: 11-02-02
Brendan is doing WONDERFUL!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!
Thanks for caring and keep praying for him. They said at any
time it could reject, but with our prayers, IT WON'T!!!!!!
UPDATE: 10-15-02
Brendan on his 2nd birthday party. He was 2 on Sept. 19, but
we had his party this last Sun. Oct 13, since on his birthday he
was in the hospital. Some of you asked how he is eating, he still
has the feeding tube in his tummy. Still has the dialysis tube in his
side too, just in case. Also still has a central line in his arm for IV's
and drawing blood.
UPDATE: 10-14-02
Well our little Brennie is doing wonderful!!!!! His new kidney
is working and he is peeeeeeing!! Yeah! We LOVE those
WET diapers!!! Our thanks and love go all out to our cuz Kurt
for making this all possible!!!! And Kurt if u are reading this,
we need an update on you! Everyone keeps asking me how you are!!!!!
Yesterday we had Brennie's 2nd birthday party yesterday, since
he was in the hospital the whole month of Sept. and missed his
real birthday date. ( He had a very rough month) We were
all wishing that Kurt/Sissel could be there to see the miracle
they helped perform!!! Brendan loved opening all his presents,
he made a mess out of his cake, and only took one lick. Still not
eating, but it will take time for him to learn. We were outside with
him since it was so nice out and he drove his car u sit in and push
with your feet and he was so cute. (Pictures soon).
Yesterday he was happy all day, so hopefully he is adjusting
to the drugs that are or were making him very emotional. He
was on an even keel yesterday!!! It was so good to see!!!
We thank God & Kurt for making Brendan's life so much
better!! No more dialysis, no more vomiting!!!
Aren't miracles wonderful??????
UPDATE: 9-27-02
Brendan's kidney rejected again a few weeks ago. After we took him to the
emergency room. He was very moody in the hospital. He started a treatment
in which last for 6 hours a day. It is blocking or destroying his immune
system. We brought him home two days ago and he has been great. Seems as if
nothing happened. The kidney is starting for function again and they may
even stop the new treatment early.
Sean
UPDATE: 9-21-02
Brendan had the kidney test yesterday...it is still trying to
reject. So he is now undergoing a 10 to 14 day treatment.
Six hours a day they will inject a drug into him that will work
on his immune system to try to make it quit fighting the kidney.
This drug is an IV that has side effects but they are also giving
him meds for the side effects. It causes shaking, maybe fevers
etc. They are watching him close. He had his first treatment
last night and he slept through it. Thanku God for that!! Pray
this treatment works. If not he has to have the strong one that
will Kill his immune system completely. It will be very hard on
him and he will have to stay in ICU. So pray this one works!!
Please God!!
His mental state is better ...he has been talking!! YEAH!! Still
having mood swings from one drug he is taking. He will be
happy one minute and throw things and scream the next . Not
our Brennie. He is shaky. Did drink water yesterday. Yippee!
Just keep praying gang. I am begging God to let this treatment
work. I am not sure I am suppose to do that??? But I am....
I am on my way up to see him. I have had Ethan most of this
week. Allie is really missing him so she will be glad to see him today.
Keep the prayers going. That is all we can do right now and
the best thing we can do.........Love to all, Sandy
UPDATE: 9-19-02
Today is Brendan's 2nd birthday and he is in the hospital again.
He was vomiting up some blood last night so they took him to
the emergency room. He is now admitted and they are doing
another biospy on his kidney to check for rejection. Also putting
in a central line for IV's. His mind is in very bad shape, he is only
crying and moaning and not responding to anything . They are
bringing in a child psych to see what can be done. All the IV's
and pokings made him go over the edge. He is traumatized.
Please continue to pray for him. We love u Brennie on this
your birthday.
UPDATE: 9-15-02
I just got a very joyous call from Allie! Brendan's fever is
down to normal and he is once again peeing!!!! Praise God!!!
He is answering all our prayers!! I can not even tell u how
happy I am. What a relief. Thankyou all for praying for him.
That is why he has had a turn-a-bout! Keep him and Kurt in
your prayers....
We are all so relieved that Brendan does not have to have
that procedure done and we hope/pray he never does. It is
very dangerous to be without your immune system, and what
they would do to him is very hard on him. Pray his kidney will
continue to work on it's own!!! Kurt's kidney, inside of Brendan.
Isn't it a miracle in itself. When I look at Brendan, I always
say Thank you Kurt!!
Thankyou Lord that Brendan is better today!!! :-)
UPDATE: 9-14-02
Just got the news that Brendan's kidney IS rejecting. Please
pray for him!! They are upping his meds and he is already on
a high doze that is making him very moody. We can't believe
this is happening, everything has gone so well.
We are all very worried. He has been through so much.
UPDATE: 9-13-02
Just a short note to let u all know that Brendan is back
in the hospital. He cried all night Wed. night and was
running a fever. Allie called the Dr. at 4am and they said
to bring him in at 8. Yesterday at 2 they did a surgery on
him to take a little piece of his new kidney out to test it to
see if it is starting to reject. They want to know right away,
so they can take necessary steps. We won't know the results
until sometime today. Please keep him in your prayers and
pray daily for Kurt's kidney that is in Brennie to keep working!!!
And those of you who are related to Kurt, please don't give
him this news. Sean is going to call him AFTER we get the
results today. We don't want him to be worrying. He is trying
to get well himself. Pray with us gang!!!!
UPDATE: 9-08-02
An exciting day!!! Brendan is going home! His
new kidney is doing wonderful!! He got to eat
yesterday for the first time in his entire life. We
were so excited to see him chew on a graham
cracker and lick a popsicle!! He liked it! He is
now on a strict diet though and on lots of meds.
Has to have blood taken 3 days a week for the
first month. Then not so much, but still all the
time. In six weeks another surgery to remove
a tube from the kidney. But all in all he is doing
sooooooooo good and for that we thank the
LORD!! Praise God for whom ALL blessings flow!!
And that isn't all...Kurt is now probably getting
off the airplane in his home town meeting up with
his wife and kids! He is doing good too! We had
one last get together last night taking him out to
supper and saying goodbye. It was hard to let him
go, he is such a part of our lives now! We will thank
him forever for what he has done for our little
Brendan!!!! This is a happy day!!!!
UPDATE: 9-06-02
I think it would be great if Kurt had several
cards waiting for him when he gets home.
He won't be able to work and will have lots
of time to read. I will send u his address. A
big thankyou for giving our Brendan a new
life would be great!! I know he would
appreciate hearing from all of you!
Kurts address is:
Kurt Goldberg
4953 Danford Drive
Billings 59101
I also forgot to tell you that the bank sent
Sissel and Kurt a check today for $6000.
Isn't that wonderful, and THANKYOU to
everyone who donated.We can never thankyou
enough for helping Kurt out! We know people
are so wonderful at a time to pull together in
concern for their fellow man!! Also thankyou
for your prayers and concern. We give God
the Glory!! This has been such a big blessed
event in our lives!!!
UPDATE: 9-05-02
Brendan has been in a lot of pain all night and this morning.
I could hear him crying in the background. They called in 2
Dr.'s and now have it more under control. Kurt is over visiting
Brendan right now. He still has the epideral so doing pretty
good. He is over being sick. I am so glad. Our wonderful
donor! ...The kidney is working...Yeah! Now to get our 2
guys well and over the pain. Keep praying for them. Thanks...
This is Brendan yesterday after his transplant.
Also Kurt got wheeled in to see Brendan and
the transplant nurse gave Kurt pins, a sweatshirt
and a nice plaque in honor of being a 'Giver of Life'!!!
Click here to see pictures!
UPDATE: 9-04-02
A miracle happened in our lives yesterday!!!!
Praise God!!!! Kurt's kidney started working
in Brendan before they even sewed him up!!!!!!
Is this exciting news or what???? All our prayers
for Brendan have been answered through God,
who went through Kurt to give us this miracle!!!
Thank you Lord and Kurt!!!!
Let me tell u about our exciting day of tears
and emotions for happiness and heartache!
We got to the hospital a little after 5 and
Brendan was asleep. Us Grandma's, Grandpa's,
aunts, and parents were with Brendan. Sean
had been with Kurt, then came down to where
we were.Sissel, Kurts wife, of course stayed
with him. Brendan woke up so happy, smiling
and making us laugh with his "Roaring" lion
sounds, his cutie boy face and all his hugs and
kisses. He waddled down the hallway in his
little nightgown with his cute little butt hanging
out, waving to all the nurses etc. Soooo happy!
They put him in a little red wagon, his brother
in front of him and we all followed Allie pulling
him. We got on the elevator and Brendan then
knew he was in for something. He got this
scared look on his face and he started gritting
his teeth, looking at all of us in despair, but he
didn't cry. We got to walk all the way to the
operating room with him, hug him one more
time and off he went while everyone one of us
were crying. Even our men. It was VERY hard.
Went to the waiting room and every hour they
called with a report. They called and said Kurt's
kidney was out, then they called and said it was
in Brendan and then they called and said IT
WAS WORKING!!!! We all cried again. Allie
was jumping up and down and hugging Sissel,
Kurt's wife. She started calling everyone she
knew and so did we. We were crying again
with the good news!!!
Then we waited for Kurt to come down from
surgery. We lined up in the hall and as he came
down the hall we all hugged him, shook his
hand and Thanked him! What do u say to this
magnificent man who gave our Brendan life????
We all cried again seeing Kurt. My husband
Bob was so emotional, he had to sit down and
the tears were flowing so hard, he couldn't
even get up to follow us up then to wait for
Brendan. I have never seen him cry so much!!!
We then went up and waitied for Brendan to
get out and it was 4 more hours! So far it was
already about 3 hours.Then only Allie went in
at first. We had to wait a long time. Then only
two of us at a time. Judy, Bob's sister went in
with me. She took one look at Brendan and
here went the tears again. There are tubes
and Iv's in Brendan from his neck down and
he was moaning in pain. He was all swelled
up. He was very hard to see. So each one of
us came out crying again!!!
Then we went up to see Kurt. When I got
in there I couldn't even talk to him, I just
cried and cried. My feelings towards him,
as for all us, are overwhelming!! He is our
hero!!! And we thank the LORD for this man
who has done sooooo much to change our lives!!!!
The gift he has given is beyond all measure of
unselfishness!! He is soooo wonderful!!
And Kurt isn't feeling good at all. He is sick
to his stomach on top of having pain and he
has gas clear up into his shoulders. He said
he feels like he has been beat up. And today
his epiradel will be wearing off more. Please
pray for him continally today!! They told him
he is getting up and he says no he is not!! But
he has a mean nurse! I guess I better go up
and whoop her for him. I'll fight for him til the
end of time!!! :-) In all seriousness please pray for him.
Brendan had pain last night. He was moaning
and looking at us and then passed out again.
But this morning he is better!! He made his
roaring lion sound but only in a whisper. He
said 'water' and is thirsty. Sean was blowing
bubbles for him. So he is on the road to mending.
I looked at Brendan yesterday and thought
how much this little boy who is not even turned
2 yet, has suffered. More than any of u can
imagine unless u have seen it for yourself.
And yet he is so happy all the time, making
us smile and laugh. What a little trouper!!!!
Sean,Allie, Sissel, and Kurt have a new
wonderful lifetime friendship and I am expecting
even more miracles to come through this! So
keep them all in your prayers and I will keep
you updated!!
This IS the day the LORD has made. We WILL
rejoice and be GLAD in it.And miracles DO happen!!
AMEN and AMEN. Love to all, Sandy
UPDATE: 8-31-02
The day is almost here. On Sept. 3 our little
Brendan will be receiving his new kidney from
our wonderful cousin Kurt. Kurt arrived on
Wed. and had tests at our hospital here on
Thurs. That night we went up and got him and
today he went fishing all day with our Ryan.
He said he had a very relaxing day on the water.
He even jumped overboard and took a swim.
The weather was perfect!! Now Kurt, Ryan,
Sean and Allie have gone to Portland to 'The
Bite' down on the waterfront. Lots of food
booths and live music. Tomorrow night they
are picking up Sissel, his wife, from the airport
and going out to dinner. On Sun we are having
a BBQ with friends and family to honor Kurt.
Mon. Brendan goes into the hospital and Tues.
at 6 am Kurt goes in. The surgery starts at 7:30
am on Tues. morning and will last at least 8
hours from start to finish if all goes according
to plan. We would like you all to be in prayer
for us and especially on Tues. We are all getting
nervous and excited at the same time. It is going
to be very hard to see two people we love go
through all of this. We all love Kurt for doing
this and also because he is a wonderful christian
man. We all feel like we have known him all
our lives. We can't ever repay him for the
sacrifice he is making for giving our Brendan
new life. God will have to bless him for us, and
I am sure He will!!! Brendan is so young he is
not going to understand all the pain he is about
to endure. Please pray for these two guys to get
through all of this and that the surgery will be
a success. I will let u know how it all goes.
Tues, be thinking and praying for all of us.
Thanks!! Much love, Sandy
UPDATE: 8-28-02
Hi,
Just wanted to give you a few updates on our son, Brendan. A few weeks ago
he got an infection which affected his entire body. A few days in the
hospital and a week of antibiotics took care of it. A few days later he got
an ear infection. We had to take him to the E.R. His eardrum popped
relieving the pressure. 90% of eardrums heal just fine. This last weekend
we went to Kidney Kamp where we met many other families who have been
through similar situations. When I gave Brendan a bath Sunday night I
noticed large weltlike marks on his inner thighs. The doctor thinks it is a
bad diaper rash. He is still very happy through all of this. The rash is
nearly gone and we are just a few weeks from the transplant.
Sean O'Connell
ADDED: 8-05-02
Our son, Brendan Hayes O'Connell, of Portland, Oregon,
was born with a rare kidney disease, Congenital Nephrotic
Syndrome. In order for Brendan to survive he had to have
a broviac inserted in his upper chest so my wife, Allie,
could inject the protein needed for Brendan to survive.
Allie also had to give her newborn baby shots twice a day.
One day Brendan got an infection through the broviac. The
nurses in intensive care didn't think Brendan would survive
the night. At this time the doctors and I decided his kidneys
had to be removed now so he would no longer get infections.
To sum up what Brendan has gone through in 20 months of life: he
has been hospitalized 20 times, has had 6 surgeries, 6 blood transfusions,
shots daily, now has shots weekly, monthly blood draws, is down to 8
medications daily, has therapy 3 times a week, has special shoes to help
him walk, vomits several times a day, has nightmares, and has had Rickets.
I should also mention he stopped breathing one day and spit up blood so
Allie had to call 911. Brendan has been on dialysis since his kidneys
have been removed. He has to be hooked up to a dialysis machine every
night for 12 hours. And another hour during the daytime.
We have been in search for a kidney donor since Brendan's
birth. I was the first to try but my blood isn't the right type.
Neither is Allie's. On Friday July 5, 2002 we found out that
our cousin, Kurt Goldberg passed all the tests and would be the
donor and the transplant will take place on September 3rd,
2002 at OHSU in Portland, OR. Finally Brendan will be
able to walk, talk, eat, and basically live a normal life. Our
hearts and thanks go out to Kurt and his family. My family
and I have never met Kurt. He and his family have only seen
pictures of Brendan. But, he is still unselfishly willing to give
one of his kidneys to Brendan. Kurt is married and currently
has two kids living in Montana. His wife, Sissel, is having their
3rd child in November After the surgery.
A Picture of Kurt:
 
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