Andrew’s Story

Site created on November 3, 2018

This explains PH1: https://www.alnylam.com/patients/primary-hyperoxaluria/

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. 


In March of 2018 Andrew's health took a serious turn and he faced critical renal failure and immediate dialysis was required. Since March, Andrew has faced many hospitalizations, dcctor appointments, tests and treatments. He officially received a diagnosis of having Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 after going through genetic testing. This is a inherited genetic disease in which his liver is missing a vital enzyme that breaks down oxalates. When the body cannot break oxalates down they build up causing damage to body organs. The first organs that face damage are the kidneys. Over the years, Andrew had kidney stones, some so bad that he required hospitalization and surgery to remove the kidney stones that were too large to pass. Little did we know this was due to this genetic condition so years passed by while his kidneys took a beating and ultimately reduced to 15% function in March 2018 and are currently operating at 6%. 


Andrew has a great Physician who identified Andrew's condition before test results were even finalized and supported Andrew being placed on the transplant list. Officially in October 2018 after 3 day transplant evaluation at Nebraska Med Center , Andrew was made active on the liver & kidney transplant waiting list. A transplant gives him hope of a life without dialysis (which he currently undergoes 3 days a week for 4 hours at a time) but it also means lifelong pills to allow the transplanted organs to survive. 


While this has been the biggest challenge Andrew has faced we know we have hope and we are very blessed to have support from family & friends. 


Andrew and Nicole will use this website to provide updates on how Andrew is doing. Please stop by often, thank you all! 



Newest Update

January 22, 2020 recovery update

Journal entry by Andrew Lorkovic —

It’s been almost six months since my transplant, and while my recovery has gone pretty well for the most part, the last couple of months have been kind of rough.  Right before Thanksgiving both girls got sick, the day before thanksgiving I got sick and I am just now getting over it.  During that time my creatinine level jumped up to almost 4, the transplant team got concerned and had me go in for a kidney biopsy.  The biopsy came back good, it just showed a small acute injury that’s been there since transplant but nothing serious or major.  Now for some good news.  Just got my lab results for this week back and my creatinine level was 2.9, this is the lowest it has been since transplant.  There was concern it wouldn’t get under 3, but now it is.  Now it’s time to get it to under 2.  Thank you everyone for all the prayers and well wishes it really does help and it means the world to me and my family.  Let’s keep this recovery going and continue to get better and stronger each and every day.  God Bless. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Read More of the journal titled "January 22, 2020 recovery update "
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