A Mother’s Testimonial

Alec is our second child of three. He, like our other two children, makes my heart smile. About half way through my pregnancy, the doctors told us that Alec’s right kidney was not developing. The doctors monitored his progress in utero and the day he was born with his big green eyes, stunning red hair, and long eye lashes I knew that my heart had been captured. Alec was seen immediately by a nephrologist who explained his condition by saying “the right kidney developed some type of infection in utero and that its function was minimal. Also, that it was not likely it would ever develop into a functioning kidney. Explaining to us that “many people survive every day with only one kidney” we felt better but kept Alec very guarded.

For the next several years we watched his progress closely and were lucky to have no serious troubles. Just two short months after Alonzo Mourning under went his kidney transplant Alec was rushed to the hospital for a dangerously high fever. Tests showed a serious infection in his blood; an infection that attacks the organs and shuts them down one at a time. As this information was explained to us my heart fell to my stomach knowing that the contaminated blood they were describing was being filtered to his kidneys. They immediately started antibiotics and we, as a family, began the biggest battle his little frame had known so far. After several weeks in the hospital and resting at home, we were referred to a new doctor who studied urology. It was then discovered that Alec’s right kidney was in fact destroyed by the infection. It was also discovered that he was born with a urinary reflux condition that had been previously unknown to us. In the Spring of 2004 a non-invasive surgery was performed to try to restore the function of the valves in his ureters. Alec stayed strong for the next three months taking his preventative antibiotics to ward off any more kidney or urinary tract infections every day while we all waited for the tissues to grow and hopefully resolve his urinary reflux condition. Three months past and the news arrived that the non-invasive procedure proved to be unsuccessful. He would now have to be scheduled to have the right kidney and ureter removed. Also, the ureter on the left side would require corrective surgery . This news was devastating as the non-invasive surgery was quoted as having a ninety- percent (90%) success rate. Our odds for the next surgery didn’t increase at all and his face still showed signs of discoloration from exposure to direct sun light from all the antibiotics.

Being a family that followed sports, we had already been aware of the brave fight that Alonzo Mourning was undertaking. Our journey with Alonzo Mourning was just beginning; a journey that would change our son’s life forever and restore hope in a determined little boy’s mind, body and soul. On the eve of every test or surgery, we as a family planned some fun activity for Alec to help ease his mind. On December 8th of 2004 Alec was scheduled for surgery. Amazingly, on December 7th Alonzo Mourning was playing basketball in Cleveland, OH (our home town!). We contacted Alonzo and explained that he would be playing basketball in our home town the night before Alec’s surgery and asked if there was anyway he could please send Alec a “Good Luck wish”. Understanding this was a big request we said nothing to Alec, until the good news came that Alonzo had agreed to meet with Alec and help prepare him for his next surgery. The big game night came and Alonzo in fact kept his promise to meet with Alec. He showed him around the locker room and let him meet a couple of “his basketball friends” (As Alec described meeting Zo’s teammates). We left the arena that night with Alec excited and tired from a big night and ready to take on the next step of getting healthy. We left Alonzo’s side that night thinking we would never see or hear from him again. Of course, we were extremely grateful for the kindness the Mr. Mourning had shown to our son. It is important for children to realize that they are not alone. Alonzo made Alec realize that people can and do overcome medical conditions. Alonzo was an extra-ordinary example of a man who faced his illness with courage and came out on top. Alec went into his surgery realizing that he too could overcome his illness and he was not alone in his fight.

The biggest surprise came when during his hospital stay Alonzo, again left this mother speechless, by calling to check on Alec’s post surgery condition. How could it be that this gentle giant made time in his busy schedule to call and check on our son. This telephone call came at a pivotal time in Alec’s life because we couldn’t say to him “we know how you feel”. I will never forget the hospital staff buzzing around the room “Alonzo Mourning is on the phone” is all you could hear. You see the medicine had begun to make Alec sick and he was experiencing great pain and difficulty time getting up and moving around (which the doctor insisted on with military urgency). Just one quick conversation with someone who could relate to his pain and frustration made all the difference in the world. “Imagine talking to your hero when you need that support to go on” is what one nurse said to another. Alec hasn’t just learned how to stay healthy from Alonzo he has learned how to never give up hope and how to fight for what you believe in. After a trip to Miami Alec and his older brother were determined to help Zo’s Fund For Life cause. We discussed with them that they need to get information out about the cause and how people could help. They planned a garage sale asking family and friends for help by donating the items to be sold at the sale. The night that Alec stood tall (at the knee cap) of Alonzo and presented him with the check for the $1,500.00 that he and his brother had raised at the garage sale, I knew that Alonzo’s dedication to helping people had been passed on. The amazing part was that he had passed it on to an eight-year-old who was now determined to make a difference.

As, I sit and write this letter my eyes fill up with tears knowing that such a great man touched my child’s life in such a positive manner. Understanding that there are good people in the world who act out of love and care, who do things not for the glory but because it feels right. We are truly blessed to have our children use Alonzo as a role model and hero. Our family knows all too well the struggle it can be to maintain good health and my son has learned and continues to learn through his journey with Alonzo how to have a strong mind, body and soul as well. There is a saying that “it takes a village to raise a child” and in my heart and mind I believe that this it true. If for even a small moment in time Alonzo helped us with our son Alec he will be forever part of our village and family and we will continue to help Zo’s Fund For Life in any way we can!

Forever Indebted To You Zo,

Alec O’Toole’s Family