Taylum’s Story

Taylum’s mother, Desiree, is happy to share the story of her young son’s many accomplishments and the challenges he has faced since his birth in the spring of 2013.

A routine ultrasound late in Desiree’s pregnancy showed that Taylum’s kidneys were enlarged and that there was a significant lack of amniotic fluid. A decision was made to deliver the baby six weeks early. Twelve hours later, Taylum and his dad, Darren, were travelling from their home in Sudbury to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at SickKids.

Once there, Taylum was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. His enlarged kidneys were crushing his lungs and stomach. Unable to breathe on his own, Taylum was placed on a ventilator.

When he was five weeks old, doctors removed one of his kidneys so his other organs could function. Taylum was seriously ill in the days after this surgery. The Paediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) at SickKids met with Desiree and Darren during this difficult time to help them make the best decisions on behalf of their struggling son.

Taylum began to show signs of recovery. After several weeks, however, he started to experience breathing problems similar to those he had before his kidney was removed. His second kidney had kept growing and was once again crowding his lungs. Taylum’s second kidney also had to be removed. He required dialysis six days a week.

After three and a half months in intensive care, Taylum was transferred to the kidney ward. A three-and-a-half month stay on the ward was followed by a move, with his mother, to Ronald McDonald House, where they lived while coming to SickKids almost daily for his dialysis treatment. Taylum needed a kidney transplant — though he had to be large enough to withstand the procedure and to accept an adult kidney. His father, Darren, hoping he would be a suitable match, underwent extensive testing, but it wasn’t to be. Fortunately, in May 2015, a suitable match was identified and Taylum had a living-donor kidney transplant.

In late August, two-year-old Taylum was able to go home for the first time in his life. He is still being treated by SickKids and comes to Toronto every few months to be seen in the kidney-transplant clinic. Doctors are keeping a close eye on his blood work and kidney function to ensure his good health.

Desiree is incredibly proud of her little fighter. Only one child in four born with this condition survives beyond the first month or so, and she marvels at Taylum’s resilience.

“They saved my son’s life,” Desiree says. “The nurses and doctors at SickKids are different. They are so compassionate and they care for the whole family.”

“The nurses and doctors at SickKids are different. They are so compassionate and they care for the whole family.”

- Desiree, Taylum’s mother