Wade Kallevig

Thanks for taking time to join us in this journey. For Wade and I this journey began in 2010. Follow a hospital stay we discovered Wade's kidneys were not functioning properly. To determine the cause Wade under went a kidney biopsy. The results showed he has IGA nephropathy. For Wade this is a chronic disease not acute disease. We began working with a kidney specialist, dietician, his family doctor and more recently a transplant team at the University of Minnesota.
Over the last seven years Wade has taken steps to best maintain his kidney function. In August of 2013 following a weight loss of more than 90 pounds he had weight loss surgery. This surgery was successful and he has been able to loss more than 100 additional pounds. This part of the process was necessary for two reasons. First, the extra weight was causing his kidneys to work harder. Secondly, since he is young Wade's team of doctors felt a kidney transplant was his best long term treatment. There are guidelines required to receive a transplant and reaching a specified BMI is one of them. Wade has worked hard to reach this goal and I'm so proud of him.
Following his weight loss he was able to be evaluated at the U of MN for a transplant. They determined he was eligible to be placed on the transplant list as an inactive person accuring time. What that means is he had lost enough weight that they would allow him to accumulate time but not be active until he reaches their weight criteria or begins dialysis. The U of MN would also accept people who wanted to be tested to be a live donor for Wade.
As happens with this disease and time his kidney function has slowly decreased. Last summer Wade had a procedure to be prepared should he need dialysis before he was able to receive a transplant.
Thus far Wade is feeling good (well a bit tired as he takes an active part in our four kids lives and is preparing for spring planting) so he is not on dialysis currently.
We pray each day for continued health as this keeps him off dialysis. We pray for wisdom for his team of doctors and that a kidney donor is identified for him. We pray for wisdom in talking to our kids about Wade's health.
We are grateful we can rest in the knowledge the God has got this and he will continue to be our ever present support.
We thank all of those who have helped carry us this far in our journey and those of you who will be praying and supporting us in the future.
Sincerely,
Christina Kallevig