In February, what they thought was a routine childhood illness led Matt and Sarah to the ER with their son, Emmett. In a twist of events that they can only describe as divine protection, a completely unrelated abscess led doctors to discover that Emmett was battling dangerously high blood pressure.
After months of testing, specialized imaging revealed a very rare and complex diagnosis: severe bilateral renal artery stenosis. Because this was identified at such a young age, Emmett’s kidneys have not suffered damage from lack of blood. This is one of the biggest praises the family has as they stand in awe of a God who loves Emmett, protects him, and provides for him by highlighting the high blood pressure from an unassociated abscess. What felt so difficult back in February now feels like such a gift: preserved kidneys.
Treatment for Emmett’s renal artery stenosis requires a team of experts who are familiar with conducting these procedures on such tiny bodies. The family has transferred his care from Dallas to the specialists at Boston Children’s Hospital for a complex surgery called a bilateral kidney auto-transplant, which will safely transplant his own kidneys lower on his aorta, bypassing the stenosis. There is one other less invasive procedure doctors plan to attempt before this transplant, hoping to buy some time for his body to get bigger before the transplant surgeries. The first procedure will be on August 17th.
Amidst navigating this heavy medical news, their hearts have also been filled with joy. This July, they welcomed their miracle baby girl, Oaklee Jane, into the world. While they are soaking in the sweetness of newborn life, Sarah is currently on maternity leave, and Matt is balancing his self-employed electrical business with caring for their three beautiful children. Managing frequent flights to Boston, medical logistics, and mounting out-of-pocket costs without traditional insurance has become a heavy load for their family to carry alone.
They believe He will continue to go before them and behind them and make a crooked path straight. There is healing to be had, and they would be honored to have their community join them in this medical journey as they continue forward, filled with peace the world cannot give.
John 14:27 AMP
“Peace I leave with you; My perfect peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.”
How You Can Walk Beside Them
Matt and Sarah are humbly asking their village to surround them in two ways:
- Lift Them in Prayer:
- Please pray for Emmett’s upcoming surgeries and healing.
- Pray for big brother Bowen as he starts first grade and walks alongside to support and love his best friend and brother.
- For baby Oaklee’s peace and the gift of great sleep at night
- For Sarah and Matt’s emotional and mental capacity navigating big feelings and questions from little hearts while juggling the logistics in a world that keeps moving when everything around them seems to have stopped abruptly.
- Financial Support:
- If you feel led to give, your donations will directly help cover their frequent travel from Dallas to Boston, rising out-of-pocket medical bills, and everyday expenses while Matt’s workload and self-employed salary are reduced.
- Lifting this financial burden allows them to simply be mom and dad—giving them the breathing room to focus entirely on Emmett’s healing, their newborn, and processing this season together as a family. They are deeply grateful for any way you choose to love on their family. Thank you for being here.