Family Battles Kidney Failure

Family Battles Kidney Failure

WXOW/WQOW Television, Inc.
La Crescent, MN
2007-02-18

As a parent, you will do anything to make sure your child is healthy, but sometimes you can't.

The Johnson family in Onalaska knows that fact all too well.

Five year old Aspen's struggle with kidney failure has put the Johnson family on a roller coaster ride of highs and lows.

Katie Johnson, Aspen’s mom says, "He was on dialysis until he was a year and a half old and then at that time he had a transplant and he had the transplant for almost two years."

But when Aspen got the flu, his body rejected the transplant and so began a future of hospital visits sometimes lasting weeks on end with serious complications.

Adrien, Aspen’s dad says, "By the time he got to the hospital, the seizures were like 45 minutes long and we were there for a week that stay. I mean his brain completely shut down when he woke up, he didn't know his name, he didn't know us."

Through successful dialysis treatment, Aspen's health has improved.

Adrien says, "You do what you can, you work through it."

The Johnson family has reshaped their way of life, making sure that Aspen receives the right medications and dialysis treatment.

Katie says, "At the end of the night we have obviously hook him up to the end of the dialysis machine."

Aspen receives dialysis treatment that puts a solution into his body that helps remove toxins.

Aspen says, "Yeah I can feel the cold when it fills."

This form of dialysis can be performed at home, but must be done every day. Something that keeps Aspen away from his duties.

Aspen says, "When they just unhook me I just go be dashing to do my chores."

With a kid like that, the Johnson family life wouldn't be complete without him.

Adrien says, "He's a great kid, I mean he's been through more than you know your average person has in five years."

Katie says, "He's just a blessing. We've been very close to losing him many times and we are just so grateful to have him in our lives."

Aspen has proven to be a brave little boy, making the best out of a difficult situation.

The Johnson family says that they are not in a rush to get Aspen another kidney transplant. They say since the treatment is working now... They don't want to risk the complications of a surgery.

URL: http://www.wxow.com/News/index.php?ID=7791