Livonia mom celebrates donating kidney to her 2-year-old

Giddy expectant parents Audra and Mike Guzick of Livonia left the 3D ultrasound studio with pictures in hand, excited that Mike got to see the baby after he missed earlier ultrasounds due to his work in the Army.

“It was one of those places where you get the cutesy picture and the stuffed animal,” Audra said about the pictures at about 11 weeks while the couple was living near Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty, in North Carolina.

“But about a week later, they called our doctor on post. They couldn’t see a whole lot, but they could see his bladder was distended.”

A flurry of ultrasounds during the next few weeks delivered shocking news: baby Micah’s kidneys weren’t developing normally. Delivered on Mother’s Day at 32 weeks, he was rushed to the NICU.

“They quickly saw his kidney function was not good,” Audra said. “They knew within those first few days he’d need a kidney transplant, but we weren’t sure how soon.”

There are 2,106 people in Michigan on the kidney transplant waiting list – 16 are children age 17 or younger, according to the latest data available through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), the federally supported organization that oversees transplant in the United States.

Delicate operation

To help little Micah’s urinary system, doctors performed a vesicostomy, bringing the bladder to the surface and creating a tiny hole in his skin for urine to leak out into a diaper. His kidneys were functioning but showed signs of distress.

“Once we were discharged, we were home without any medical equipment, just frequent blood draws to keep up on his kidney,” Audra said. “As he became older, it became more apparent that he would need a kidney transplant sooner than later.”

The Michigan natives – Audra, who grew up in Macomb Township, and Mike, who grew up in Livonia and Wixom – decided to move back to be near family. And they turned to the kidney doctors – nephrologists – and transplant experts at Children’s Hospital of Michigan for help.

Nephrologist Dr. Amrish Jain, medical director of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Kidney Transplant program, said Children’s has a highly specialized team to support the tiniest of patients and their families.

“Our team of doctors, surgeons, pre- and post-transplant coordinators, nurses, nutritionists, mental health experts and others provide individualized care before, during and after transplant,” Dr. Jain said. “It’s a big surgery – but it’s amazing to see the gift of life take place through transplant.”

Rare parent-to-child transplant

Most organ transplants in the United States involve a deceased donor, with patients at times waiting for years for a match – or dying if one never comes available due to the limited number of deceased organ donors.

Living donor kidney transplant can be a fantastic alternative, with donors rigorously evaluated for 100% health and as a match to the recipient, said nephrologist Dr. Amrish Jain, medical director of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Kidney Transplant program. Both donor and recipient can be prepared for surgery, scheduled at a time best for both.

“In Micah’s case, and in most cases, we want the children to keep their native kidneys as long as possible,” Dr. Jain said. “We also wanted him to weigh at least 20 pounds, so he had enough room for a donated kidney. And we needed to find a donor.”

Audra and Mike both jumped at the chance to donate one of their kidneys to their son. Their blood type both matched Micah’s, the first step in matching.

“For me, from a parent to a child, it’s a no-brainer,” Audra said, adding that Mike felt the same. “As a parent, it’s such an easy choice. If I could give him my beating heart, I would.”

Green light for mom

Mike was ruled out when doctors discovered kidney stones in both kidneys – a disqualifier. There was a small kidney stone in Audra’s right kidney. But her left kidney was clear and she was given the green light. Micah had grown and was ready for a new organ.

On Oct. 9, 2023, Audra’s right kidney was removed and transplanted to Micah at Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

“I didn’t sleep all the night before, but I felt good,” Audra said. “There are always nerves going into surgery, but it’s like, ‘This is the best thing ever – my son is about to get a new kidney.’”

The kidney worked beautifully as soon as it was connected to Micah’s urinary tract.

“Mike was able to tell me as soon as I woke up that the kidney was attached and immediately began making urine,” Audra said. “Over the next couple of days, it was amazing – like perfect kidney function. Everybody couldn’t believe his numbers improved that fast. It was crazy.”

Nine days later, little Micah and his family went home, where he is quickly growing and experiencing life as a 2-year-old, playing on the beach on a recent family trip to Florida.

‘Everything’s been fantastic’

They visit Children’s Hospital of Michigan periodically for bloodwork and a checkup with Micah’s post-transplant team to ensure Micah’s new kidney is working properly.

“Since then, everything’s been fantastic, just our routine visits with Dr. Jain,” Audra said. “It took a while for him to get his strength back, but once it started coming – he’s a ball of energy now. He’s starting to understand more now. He knows that we both have scars. He uses sign language, and I say, “Where’s mama’s kidney?’ and he points to his belly.”

Audra, a project manager for an automotive supplier, said she would do the donation all over again, all things considered.

“If it’s something people feel a call to or are interested in, get yourself educated first,” Audra said. “You should go into something educated. And try going through the evaluation process to be a living donor. They’re very, very strict; they’re very protective of the donors. For me to say I gave this gift to my son is amazing. To give it to a friend, acquaintance or someone you don’t even know, it’s ever more amazing.”

Thanks to DMC Communications & Media Relations Manager Tammy Battaglia for contributing this amazing article to SocialHouseNews.com.