14-year-old Lance Hubbard was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at age 5, however, he can finally live as a normal teenager because of the great sacrifice his father, Brodrick Hubbard, recently made.
Studies show that kidney disease is currently the leading cause of death in the US, with numerous cases often undiagnosed. The frequency of CKD ranges from 15 to 74.7 cases per 1 million children, and the mortality among children who progress to End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) is 30 to 50 times higher in comparison to that of the general population.
However, 36–year–old Brodrick never cowered from the thought of gladly giving away his kidney to his son when the need arose. In an exclusive interview with People, Lance and Brodick shared their experience.
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The teenager’s parents first found out he had a kidney disease after he fell sick at the age of 5. His mother, Kendria, noticed his swelling hands and feet, as well as his strange loss of appetite. Brodrick shared with People that seeing his son go through all the tests and surgeries after he was diagnosed mentally drained him.
Being diagnosed with CKD at age 5 meant that Lance faced a lot of challenges with normal development, because the growth hormones needed to assist children do not function well in children with CKD.
Even though Lance was able to go off dialysis at a point, doctors still cautioned that it was a matter of time before he would require either another dialysis or a complete transplant. To this, Brodrick said “We’re a pretty strong-willed family. We believe in God and I always felt we had whatever tools necessary to correct the issues that were going on.”
The 14-year-old, who is the second of three sons, tried to have a “normal” life when he got off dialysis, and even played football on his school’s team. However, his symptoms got worse, causing his grades to eventually drop because he could not concentrate, due to brain fog – a result of the toxins not being completely removed by dialysis. He later had to leave school for his transplant.
Brodrick had to get in shape, and lost about 15 pounds with the help of his wife to prepare for the big surgery, which occurred on May 24 at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston – which has the largest pediatric transplant program in the U.S.
“Regardless of the side effects, I want to provide him with a life. It was a no-brainer,” Brodrick said. The 36-year-old was up and about the very next day, surprising everyone with his quick recovery.
Both father and son are still taking the time needed for a full recovery, which ranges from four to six weeks.
Thanks to his new transplant, Lance has a chance at a normal life and thinks about playing basketball with his father and brothers without causing his mother to worry or even get tired. He has even begun doing all he was restricted from doing previously, like drinking a lot of water and eating roast beef, barely a month after getting his new kidney.
“My dad is a great example of what it takes to be a good man, loving father, and a hero. I hope to one day live up to the sacrifice. He works really hard and does a lot for our family,” Lance said. The 14-year-old also promises to take all his anti-rejection medication to preserve his kidney and make his father proud.
He hopes to start school once again this fall and spend time outside with his friends and family.
