Hudson's biopsy

It was just brought to my attention that I never posted the results on the blog about Hudson and the biopsy results! I posted on facebook and twitter - and, well . . ., I guess I took it for granted that you all would see it?!?! I'm sooo sorry! So many of you prayed for him and us as he went through such an ordeal - it would have been nice of me to atleast tell you all the findings!

We did get them back in a timely manner and they did read minimal change disease. It is the best of the worst we could have gotten. The best being absolutely nothing was wrong with his kidneys, just the strips that tested his urine were bad {yeah - wouldn't that have been nice!} And the worst being, . . . well - who wants to talk about that!

Basically his kidney's do not filter correctly. So, he pees alot of protein. It is something that he should and will outgrow between the ages of 5 and 8. Hopefully with little to no damage. Normally, the only way for damage is if it is left untreated. His kidneys still look perfect in the ultrasounds and the biopsy. Which is a fantastic thing! But they really don't know why the medicine at such a high dose has not kicked it into remission. ????

We are still on the steroids, but are actually weening him off. He has finally tested "trace" for protein in the urine, so that is our sign to start this process. It will still be about 5 months before he is off of them completely because his daily dose is so high that it will take that long to slowly get him off of it without him going through DTs! He also started a new medicine that transplant recipients take when they receive a new organ. It helps their body accept the organ and heal as if it was originally their own. This is actually a much better form of treatment for Hudson because there should be NO SIDE EFFECTS as long as he is at the right dosage! Whoo-hoo! He will be on this one for 6 months to a year.

Now, why did they not give him this a year ago?? Because they say steroids always works! And the fact that if he takes too much of the new one, it could damage his kidneys by causing permanent scarring. This means he has to have blood drawn ever so often to check his levels.

So far, so good.


He is still puffy and swollen. I noticed he was very swollen yesterday. This is caused from both the steroids and the nephrotic syndrome he has {which, like I said, is minimal change disease!}

But we have a diagnosis - AND that is exactly what I was wanting! Now, we know how to attack this mess.

I can't thank you all enough for all the prayers you covered us with. The biopsy was a little rough because of all of Hudson's sensory issues. But he came out of it all like a champ. Including taking out his own IV and removing the bandage from his back within 3 minutes of waking up.


The first words out of his mouth were, "I need a mighty kids meal from McDonalds. And when I'm finished eating, lets bounce up out of here! Sound like a good idea to you?" hehe - And I have no idea where he could have heard anything like that before!! Funny though - he even uses the same inflection in his tone that I use when I say it! haha!


I love this kid!