Jaiden's Story is an example why we need to have all children in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant be treated here in Central Florida and not have to travel to distant hospitals to receive treatment. The burden is already intense enough without adding the stress of losing your support network when a child has to leave Orlando to be transplanted.
Like any first-time mom, Tennille was concerned when her son, Jaiden, developed severe flu-like symptoms overnight. A series of tests finally ruled out all other possibilities except a rare inherited immune disorder. This disease causes multiple medical problems that affect the body all at once; if untreated it is fatal. Jaiden's only hope was a marrow or cord blood transplant.
Needing a Second Transplant
Jaiden was just nine months old when he entered the hospital in March 2004 for his transplant. During Jaiden's hospital stay, Tennille did what she could to maintain a normal routine for her son. Unfortunately, Jaiden's transplant failed to engraft meaning that his immune system didn't make the transition to be made up entirely of donor cells. When doctors told Tennille that her son would need a second transplant, she recalls that "it only took me five minutes to decide," reflecting on the life or death situation. "Either Jaiden would have another transplant, or a very short time left to live."
Having a supportive network
Tennille had used all of her leave time from work to care for Jaiden during his first transplant. She had to get back to work to maintain the family's health insurance. So after Jaiden's second transplant, while Jaiden was still hospitalized, Tennille went back and forth to work from his bedside, spending nights at the hospital. Jaiden's father, Ufundi, and other family and friends shared in Jaiden's care, allowing Tennille some much needed time to rest. Jaiden was in the hospital for five months, having a supportive network of helpers was essential.
Transitioning home
The second transplant was a complete success. The transition home was a challenge, Jaiden's immune system hadn't recovered to the point where he could return to day care, requiring his grandfather to care for Jaiden while Tennille and Ufundi were at work.
Today, Jaiden is "a normal kid," according to mom Tennille. Jaiden "loves his medicine!" He wakes at 5:30 a.m. and heads to the kitchen for his first doses of the morning. Of the entire transplant experience, Tennille says, "Trust your instincts; you know your child best."
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