Rocky’s Story

Site created on July 3, 2022

Rocky was diagnosed with ESRD (end-stage renal disease/kidney failure) in June 2021. The diagnosis left his family and friends in shock. Prior to his diagnosis, Rocky started noticing his health was declining. He had a hard time keeping food down and lost a lot of weight in a very short period of time. He was extremely fatigued and had terrible, itchy skin. This led to a very anxious visit with the doctor. After the initial bloodwork, the doctors told Rocky he needed to go straight to the ER. He spent seven days in the hospital, received two blood transfusions, and was told that he was in complete kidney failure, with no hopes of his kidneys restoring themselves. Since then, he has not been able to return to work as a finished carpenter. His job requires physical labor, which he cannot handle due to weight restrictions the doctors have put him on and daily fatigue. Rocky is currently on the kidney donation list and will be on dialysis for the rest of his life, or until he can receive a kidney. He spends 8.5 hours every day hooked up to his dialysis machine at home. Rocky and his wife, Christy, are parents to three boys, Jeremy (14), Jacob (13), and Jaxon (9), who are multi-sport athletes. Both Rocky and Christy are very active in the community serving on multiple boards and booster clubs. Rocky currently serves as the majors director at Cardinal Little League and is the Vice President of Coon Rapids Traveling Baseball. Rocky and Christy are trying very hard to maintain a normal life for the boys as they have known it to be, off of a single income. The kids should never have to feel the financial burdens that come with this disease. They are asking for support as they try to adjust to their new normal and wait anxiously for the wonderful news that Rocky’s been matched with a kidney. Thank you for reading the Otte’s story, and for your support. We all know it means a lot to them!!

Newest Update

January 21, 2023

Journal entry by Christy Otte —

Hello everyone!

I realized it has been a bit since I have updates you all with Rocky’s post transplant journey.

It’s been 6 months since he was blessed with a new beginning.  He is doing very very well!  He is back to “pre sickness “ weight!  He loves that he can have the foods he once loved and was restricted from.  His doctors seem surprised at his healthy weight gain.  To be fair, they only knew him and the thin, sick, Rocky.  He is looking forward to being on the baseball field again with the boys.  He hasn’t missed a basketball game or tournament and loves doing so without restrictions.  He would tell you he is feeling perfect!  
He is working on some projects, building up his strength and stamina to be able to work full time again in the field he once loved and was a machine at.

It is truly amazing what a difference one healthy kidney can do for a person.  Never take your health for granted and always listen to your body….don’t push off the warning signs.  They trigger for a reason.

Thank you all once again for the continued support and love.  We ALL feel it and appreciate you all more than you know!

 

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