Elias’ fight stage 5 kidney disease

At just 4 weeks old, Elias had his first surgery which during recovery an unknown complication put him into renal failure.

From here we learnt we wouldn’t be taking our baby home anytime soon.

Elias was born with a rare birth defect where there’s a blockage that has put pressure on the bladder, ureters and both kidneys.

At birth Elias was stabilised and the efforts of trying to repair all of his damage began.

Elias has spent more of his life in hospital than home with his family and the financial impact this has, has quickly taken its toll.

Elias will be sent to starship to begin dialysis and then the road to becoming well enough and big enough for his new kidney begins.

So far Elias has had

- 2 ICU stays

- 3 surgeries

- 1 life flight to starship

- 6 re admissions

- Weekly hospital appts

Elias has a portacath inserted to administer bloods and iv treatment now to no longer cause him pain of countless needles throughout the day.

He has a peg inserted to feed him as he cannot take anything orally so all feeds are via a feeding pump.

Despite Elias being a little behind reaching milestones, it’s hard to tell he is one of the most complex kidney patients Christchurch hospital have come across.

He keeps them on their toes!

Any help is greatly appreciated to help recover loss of work hours, petrol and medical costs for the life long journey Elias is battling.