At the young age of 12, Matt Coulam found out he needed a Kidney Transplant. His father, Mike, was a match and gave one of his kidney's to his son. When you get a Kidney transplant you take medication for the rest of your life that tell your body not to attack the foreign Kidney, but those medications also weaken your immune system and a regular cold can cause you to get sick and stay sick for longer periods of time. Although Matt was not able to participate in many of the sports he wanted to participate in Matt had good health for the...
At the young age of 12, Matt Coulam found out he needed a Kidney Transplant. His father, Mike, was a match and gave one of his kidney's to his son. When you get a Kidney transplant you take medication for the rest of your life that tell your body not to attack the foreign Kidney, but those medications also weaken your immune system and a regular cold can cause you to get sick and stay sick for longer periods of time. Although Matt was not able to participate in many of the sports he wanted to participate in Matt had good health for the majority of his childhood. It wasn't until Matt was in his early 20's that he started to feel sick more often, sometimes requiring him to stay in the Hospital, and for longer periods of time. After a few short years of this, the Doctors informed Matt that the Kidney was failing and he would need another transplant. As a husband, and father of young kids Matt shares he and his wife's battle to save his life and the amazing lesson's they learned along the way.
Due to a Melanoma Skin Cancer diagnosis, Matt was unable to get a second Kidney transplant because so many people need Kidneys and a past Cancer "patient" offers no guarantee that the Kidney will be put to good use, even though the Cancer was successfully removed. A diagnosis of Cancer makes you wait 5 years of being Cancer free before you qualify for a transplant. Matt's had to go back on Dialysis and his health became so fragile that he and his wife had no choice other than to fight their health insurance to get around the Cancer "rule" to get approval for coverage. They met with Insurance and Matt's wife Kylee stepped up to the plate and hearing from her motivated the insurance company to help out.
Shortly after getting approval, Matt's sister called to let him know that she was not a match. After this devastating news, Matt was desperate to find a match so he could stay on earth to take care of his wife and kids, so he sent a text out to everyone he knew humbly inviting anyone who was willing to get tested and donate their Kidney. Shortly thereafter he received a phone call from a Hospital staff member who said "Matt, you have a lot of people who love you", and to Matt's surprise there were about 20 people who had submitted their information to donate their Kidney to Matt. It was incredible to feel Matt's deep and sincere gratitude and love as he talks about this part of his story. Those people will never be forgotten.
Matt talks about the effect on Self Esteem during such a difficult period, being unable to take care of his wife and kids the way he wanted too. He brings awareness to the difficulties that people on Dialysis go through and how important it is to the health of those people when others see them, recognize them and step up to help them in any way possible.
A young man, Nate Greenway, in Matt's church, whom he taught on Sunday's, stepped up and told his father he wanted to give his Kidney to Matt. Adam, the young man’s father, was so touched by his son's desire to give his kidney that he himself decided that he would do it for his son and for Matt. You need to listen to Matt at the end of the podcast, as he shares he feelings about Nate and Adam Greenway who stepped up and saved his life. Incredibly powerful!! Adam Greenway, you are a hero, and so is your son Nate!
In a place of Hopelessness is where Matt found himself, truly wanting to give up... but rather then feel bad for himself and remain in anger... Matt reached out in hope and desperation for help. The answer came because Matt acted. When we act and try, that is all God needs to step in to help. Matt's story and witness of this is powerful. He learned in his moments of hopelessness that there is always positive and amazing things we can find that will lift us up. Focus on the good, focus on the positive, it is a choice and it makes all of the difference.
Matt you are a dear friend and one of my hero's. Thank you for sharing your miraculous and inspiring journey. Because of your experiences and the happiness you live with, you help many, including myself, to strive to recognize all the beauty surrounding us and in this world. Thank you my friend!
