This page is for family, friends and those who just care to keep up with how our baby is doing as she confronts Chronic Renal Insufficiency, a condition caused by abnormal kidney function, and a kidney transplant in the near future.
Isabella was born prematurely because her life was in jeopardy in the womb. She was born with 3 kidneys; 2 that were "stacked" on each other that were not functioning at all and one tiny kidney approximately 2" long to do the job of 2 normal ones. She has struggled to gain weight and thrive as most normal babies do. She is almost 3 years old and only weighs 22 pounds. Most of this weight gain is thanks to a g-tube (feeding tube) that she received in November at UAB Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Al. Isabella will need a kidney transplant in order to live. And even though she has endured so much pain and so many "oucheys" in her little life and faces so many more, God has blessed her every day since she was born. He continues to sustain her and for that we are so thankful. Her father will donate a kidney for his little girl.
We have been blessed with many friends and caring people who have pitched in to lend a hand in raising funds to help the family with the staggering medical costs. Insurance will not cover a lot of the necessary medications and supplements that Isabella needs to stay in a "stable" condition. At the present, she is doing well. The doctors are waiting as long as possible to do the surgery since, with the help of medical intervention, her levels are good. They will allow her to gain as much weight as possible before her kidney starts to shut down. At that time, the surgery will take place at UAB Children's Hospital. This hospital is approximately 4 hours from their home. During and after the surgeries, they will need to remain in Birmingham for almost two months to insure the new kidney is working well and she is not rejecting it. We will need to raise the funds necessary to get the surgery done, pay for the stay in Birmingham in motels, and the cost of covering their bills for the 2 months it will take her father to recover and be able to return to work.
Thanks to all those who care enough to read her story, and to those who reached out in compassion. Any comments can be sent to her Daddy, Nana or Uncle Brian.
Please continue to pray for her and we go thru this process with her! God bless you all!
UPDATE December 21st, 2008:
Bella returned to UAB Children's Hospital on December 4th for her post surgery check up. The doctor said things were looking great; her stitches had healed and the MRI showed she was fine. She was released from her surgeon on that day. There will be another fundraiser in mid-January to raise funds to pay for the surgery and her family's two month stay in Birmingham after the surgery. News as to where and when will be added to her page as soon as they are scheduled.
Also, new photos have been added to the photo album!
UPDATE October 9th, 2008:
Bella's first surgery has been scheduled for November 4th at the University of Alabama - Birmingham. The non-working kidneys will be removed arthroscopically and she's expected to remain in the hospital for 2 - 4 days.
UPDATE August 1st, 2008:
Bella had an evaluation trip to Birmingham on July 7th, 2008 and the news was received that the doctors on her case have decided that she will need another surgery before her transplant. They need to remove the large kidney on the right side, the polycystic one that isn't functioning. She will have to completely recover from this surgery before the transplant can be done. We have been told that she will be scheduled on or shortly after August 7th. Update will be posted as soon as we get the date.
UPDATE April 2nd, 2008:
Bella has reached her target weight for surgery of 25 pounds, and the doctors say it can be performed safely now. At her upcoming visit to Birmingham in August they'll likely plan a date, based on how well she's doing.
UPDATE March 24th, 2008:
A guestbook has been added. Please sign it to let us know you were here... Thanks!
UPDATE August 4th, 2007:
UPDATE July 25th, 2007:
There will be a benefit dinner at DJ's Lounge located at 7101 Theodore Dawes Road in Mobile on Saturday, July 28th. You can choose catfish with all the fixings or red beans and rice for $5. Orders of 5 or more dinners can be delivered! There will also be a TV raffled and a Brinkman Stainless Steel grill. A car has been donated and raffle tickets will also be available starting Saturday for it. A live band will be on hand to supply music for the event. Serving will begin at 12:00 noon. For more information you can call DJ's at 251-653-3337 or Rob Whitsett at 251-605-3206.
UPDATE June 12th, 2007:
Our whole family would like to say "thank you" to everyone who came out and helped make Bella's fundraiser at the Key West Lounge such a success. Nearly $10,000 was raised through dinner and auction sales as well as through donations. And to the management and staff of KWL as well as other volunteers and donators, your generosity and hard work were incredible. Saying "thank you" doesn't seem like enough to convey how grateful we are for what you've done for us, but there's a loss of words that comes with sitting back and putting it into perspective, so just know you're in all our hearts, including Bella's, and Saturday reaffirmed how there's nothing that truly caring people can't accomplish. Please see Bella's main MySpace page for a slideshow of the day at KWL.
UPDATE June 10th, 2007:
New fundraiser info: There will be a motorcylce ride on Saturday, June 16th with proceeds going to the Isabella Whitsett Fund. The meeting place will be at the Hooters in Tillman's Corner and the Hooters in Daphne. The ride begins at 6 pm from Hooters and will end at Veet's, a downtown bar/eatery. To ride, it's $20 per bike/rider and if you want to bring along a passenger, it's $10 additional. All participants will be issued a bandana when their entry fees are paid. This bandana will give them free admission to the party at Veet's. This will include live music, good food, cool air, hot bartenders, drink specials and a 50/50 drawing for prizes. Anyone without the bandana will pay a cover charge. All bikers and bikes welcome! Organized by the Pistoleros MC Mobile Alabama Chapter, SYLB!
UPDATE June 7th, 2007:
New fundraiser info: There will be a barbeque plate lunch sold on Saturday, June 9th beginning at 12 Noon. Plates will include barbeque chicken and ribs, baked beans, potato salad, and bread. Cost will be $10. There will also be a raffle of donated items and homemade pies! All proceeds go to Isabella Whitsett Fund. Location is Key West Lounge located at 9220 Airport Blvd in Mobile.
UPDATE May 7th, 2007:
Bella's fundraiser at the Mobile Fairgrounds went very well. The Gladiator Challenge Fighting Championships was an excellent show, and if you have the chance to attend a future event you won't be disappointed. The GCFC is generous enough to donate a portion of the profits made to the Isabella Whitsett Fund, and a collection booth earned over $500.
UPDATE May 2nd, 2007:
Bella's fundraiser at the Mobile Fairgrounds is set for Saturday, May 5th. Please check out http://www.gcfc.tv/ for more details. It looks to be a fun time to be had by all, so please attend if you can.
UPDATE April 22nd, 2007:
Bella went to see the doctor on Thursday, April 19th and the news was all good. She's reached her target weight of 22 lbs., which means the transplant can now be done when necessary or a kidney becomes available. Her creatine level has dropped .2 of a point to 1.6. In the doctor's words, she was looking better than he's ever seen her and to "keep doing what you're doing."
UPDATE April 6th, 2007:
New photos have been added to the photo album. Click the "My Pictures" link to the left to view them.
UPDATE March 27th, 2007:
New photos have been added to the photo album.
UPDATE March 25th, 2007:
New photos have been added to the photo album.
UPDATE March 22nd, 2007:
Bella had a doctor's appointment today and everything looked okay. Her creatine levels have leveled off to 1.8, which is excellent. She's 31" tall, but we couldn't get an accurate weight due to their scales being off (last recorded weight was 21 lbs., 3 oz.) We're getting conflicting reports on whether or not she'll have to have surgery on her ureter tube, so her mommy is speaking to the doctors to get a consensus.
Due to the anatomy of her daddy's kidney not being the ideal fit the doctor has put Bella on the waiting list for a cadaver kidney, which means she could be called up for surgery at any time. If she experiences renal failure before one is found they will use her daddy's anyway.
Another fundraiser will be taking place in May, 2007 at the Mobile, AL fairgrounds in the form of a fightcard. More details will be provided as they are received.
We cannot pass along enough love and words of thanks to everyone who has helped with the fundraising and given to the cause. To date over $20,000 of the $100,000 needed has been raised.
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