Nathaniel and his family would like to greet you with our sweetest and warmest hello's. Nathaniel was born December 26, 1995. He was born on the beautiful island of Guam. He was born with a boot-shaped heart, a condition called "Hypo-plastic Right Heart". When he was a day old he had to be Medivact to Kapiolani Medical Center in Hawaii for his first 'open heart' surgery, a procedure called a "BT-Shunt". He was hospitalized for a month before we could return home to Guam. Then only six months later he started turning blue and had to be rushed to emergency. The Doctors told us he was not getting enough oxygen. Later that same night he was Medivact off the island again, this time to Children's Hospital in San Diego, California. There he underwent his second open-heart surgery. The procedure was called a "Hemi-Fontan". When Nathaniel was stable enough, we were able to return home to the Island. Six months later, he was again sent back to San Diego, for yet a third open-heart procedure, this time a "Full-Fontan".

While hospitalized at Children's Hospital in San Diego, it was discovered that Nathaniel's kidneys were failing and that within a year or two he would likely need a Kidney Transplant. A year later, in 1999, Nathaniel suffered a seizure. Again he was rushed to the emergency room at Guam Memorial Hospital. His kidneys had failed and again he was Medivact off the Island to San Diego, this time to UCSD Medical Center. Over the next two years, Nathaniel was in and out of hospitals. Following UCSD in San Diego, he was sent to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston where he received a "G-Button" (a feeding/button) for him to receive nourishment. This means he is on a feeding machine for 10 hours a day, seven days a week.

Eventually, Nathaniel was sent to North Carolina to receive a kidney transplant. He is currently being seen at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. As we await a donor kidney, Nathaniel remains subject to regular home kidney dialysis several 10 HRS.A DAY/7 DAYS A WEEK.

Because of Nathaniel's illness, over the past seven years things have been very hard for us, financially. Many times we found ourselves homeless and unable properly provide for our four children. But, you do whatever you have to do, for your children! Then only recently, because of the tragic death of Jesica, we heard about Jesica's Hope Chest. We contacted the foundation hoping to receive help. When we met Mack & Nita Mahoney they took our whole family out to eat and then took our four children and bought them lots of toys. I admire them for their love for others and for dedicating their lives and their time to sick kids, and their families, people they don't even know. They really help critically ill children and their families with their needs. Because of a monthly grant from JHC, we can now pay our rent. Without this help, we would probably be 'homeless' again. In closing I would like to thank all of those out there, who have helped us in the past, and I thank the lord above for the Mahoney's and for Jesica's Hope Chest.

Nathaniel's Mom,
Antoinette

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