Having a sick member in the family can be devastating and if that family member happens to be a newborn, the challenge becomes twice as hard. Luckily, Coltonโs family was prepared to do anything to overcome the challenges to his health.
At 8 weeks, Colton was diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency or SCID.
Also known as the โbubble boy diseaseโ, itโs a rare and fatal condition. Anyone diagnosed with this condition is required to be isolated to make sure that he doesnโt contract any infection.
Being diagnosed with SCID, it means that Colton wasnโt born with a functioning immune system. Any exposure to a germ or infection can easily end his life. The only way to treat him was to do a bone marrow transplant.
Finding a perfect match isnโt easy for most people.
This is why Dr. Evan Shereck, Coltonโs doctor, considered sibling donors. Its outcomes are considered better. Since Colton has two older sisters, Krissy and Khloe, cheek swabs were collected from them to assess their DNA.
The result showed that Khloe was the perfect match for Coltonโs treatment.
Despite getting a positive result, Danny and Kayla, Coltonโs parents, were quite anxious.
โMy husband and I were hoping it was our older daughter because she understood and she wanted to be the one to help her little brother. When we found it was Khloe, she was really excited at first and then fear kicked in within about 30 seconds and she broke down and told us how scared she was.โ- Kayla shared.
To honor the bravery and heroism of their daughter, the family decided to dress Khloe in a Superman costume.
The procedure done to her was minimal. The doctors only took a small amount through two little pen dots which can be found on her back. After the procedure, Khloe was up and running like there was nothing done to her- just like a real superhero.
Colton, on the other hand, had to undergo further tests and receive antibiotics to make sure that his little body wouldnโt reject the transplant. The healing process is long but the rest of the family are making their own adjustment for their youngest member.
Kayla resigned from her job so she could be with Colton all the time. Krissy and Khloe will be home-schooled to make sure that thereโs no chance for any infection to get to Colton.
The family also had to live somewhere close to the hospital so that the doctors can continue monitoring the little guy.
The prognosis for Coltonโs case is very positive.
After a year, heโs expected to live a very normal life. He can go out with his sisters and spend time in the park. Together, they can play in the dirt and run around with other kids.
All those things are made possible with a little girlโs sacrifice and bravery. Of course, the effort, love, and determination of the entire family to help Colton recover are important, too.
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