Dear Friends, Family and Community,
Our son, Gabriel Carlson’s life was thrown into upheaval when he was diagnosed with a very rare disease, Wagner’s four years ago, at just 21 years of age. He is now in full remission of Wagner’s, but the disease has left him with complete kidney failure and Gabe is now completely dependent on dialysis, requiring him to be attached to his dialysis machine each day for ten to twelve hours. He is now waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant.
Updates (1)
December 8, 2014
My Story:
For those who don't know, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure when I was 21 years old.
Health issues have been a part of my life since I was 20. After a year of countless tests and several diagnoses from asthma to plantar fasciitis, I was finally diagnosed with Wegener's disease (now being called granulomatosis with polyangiitis). This is a rare disorder in which blood vessels become inflamed, making it hard for blood to flow. In my case, this disease targeted my kidneys.
I was in the hospital for two weeks. During that time I was on high doses of prednesone and low dose chemo treatments to battle the Wegener's. Because the Wegener's had attacked my kidneys so aggressively, I was in stage 4 kidney failure. Many treatments and with God's grace I was finally able to return home to my family, but not without a long road ahead of me.
The doctors were able to get my kidney functions back to stage three by the time I left the hospital but the damage was already done. As time went by, my kidneys loss more and more function until finally, this past summer I was placed on dialysis.
That leads us to the here and now. It is through God's grace alone that I have come to this point in my battle with chronic kidney failure. He has been faithful through it all and providing me with more than I could have imagined. I was told if my Wegener's wasn't caught when it was I would have been dead in 6 months, but a PA ordered a test on a whim. I was told it was very likely that I wouldn't have children because of my treatments, and my son Micah is not only here but a true statement to God's glory. I was told so many things and God has brought me through it all for His glory alone.
Now He has brought me here, humbled and full of hope for the future. I am finally on the kidney transplant list! However, with a transplant comes a huge financial responsibility that I cannot bear on my own, so I am reaching out to you.
I am so blessed that you would consider to help out my family in this way. A transplant costs appx $10,000 with good insurance for the surgery and then I will need to take medication for the rest of my life to maintain my health.
If you can help financially, we are beyond humbled and grateful for your support in that way, however we know that OUR GOD IS GOOD and he will provide for this need!
In addition, please keep my family and I in your prayers. This has been a taxing process for us all and any prayer is very appreciated!
Thank you for your support,
For His Glory,
Gabe
Guestbook
January 12, 2015
Dear Gabe, (Do they still call you Gabe?)
Yay...I finally figured out how to get to this part of the website ( I couldn't locate your name before.) :>) We just want you to know that we are praying for you and your family. Our Lord is still in the business of miracles and we are praying for miracles for you Gabe.
Love,
Dave & Kaye Richardson
January 5, 2015
2 Thessalonians 3:3: But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Psalms 29:11:The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
i will pray for you and your family Gabe! god will give you peace,strength and a new kidney! i hope you feel better after the kidney transplant!
kourtnee (oakdale,ca)
December 31, 2014
We love you Gabe will continue to pray for you and Brittny and Micah. Happy new year!
Gramma & Bompa
