Fall 2011 Volume 4
CELEBR ATE The Gift of Life
Mason’s Story – by his dad, Bob Lahde
M
y son Mason came into the world in September of 2003. It was and still is the high-point of my life. Being a first- time parent, I knew very little about babies, but I remember knowing from the first week of his life that something wasn’t quite right. He wasn’t gaining weight and didn’t want to eat. Doctors, neighbours and relatives all said to be patient, that sometimes babies are fussy and that he would come around. I had no idea how badly my boy was suffering. Kidney transplant recipient, Mason and his dad, Bob Lahde.
WHAT’S INSIDE Mason’s Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Mini notebooks help transplant children stay occupied . . . . . .
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Miracles Happen for David Foster Foundation . . . . . Camaro giveaway . . . . . . . . . . . . Donation form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Follow us on:
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After 5 weeks of being patient, we took Mason down to emergency and demanded answers. He looked terrible and would only sleep for an hour at a time. After a long day of tests, the doctor came in and sadly reported that he had looked at Mason’s ultrasound and couldn’t find his kidneys. He said that Mason had to get to a children’s hospital right away, but I didn’t hear much hope in his voice. Less than 24 hours later, the incredible staff at Sickkids in Toronto was saying that he was a very sick little boy, but with the proper care he would pull through. True to their word, the doctors had us home in a few weeks. Mason had one underdeveloped kidney still functioning and the doctors were determined to make it last as long as possible. Thus began the first of dozens of visits to Toronto. The trip is a long and sometimes dangerous journey by car from our home in northern Ontario and flights to Toronto cost a fortune. We managed for the first few years, but continued on page 2