Save Baby Gavin

November 18th and November 19th 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Showcase of talents, looking for singers, artists,poets, photographers and pianists, the sky is the limit at Latte Cafe, 13780 W. Greenfield Ave Brookfield, WI 53005. If Interested in performing, contact Jodi or Ceil at (262) 789-JAVA.

Directions to Latte Cafe

Brookfield, WI – TALENT SHOW – A wondrous marriage of talents—singers, pianists, poets, photographers, artists, dancers, and musical performers, along with a silent auction is being sponsored by From Hair On and the Latte Café to help raise funds for transplant-related expenses in honor of Gavin Winslow. Sweet baby Gavin is the great nephew of Ceil Schwalbach and second cousin to Jodi Curtis. Baby Gavin is in need of multiple kidney transplants.

Don’t miss this cabaret-style event planned for November 18th and 19th, Saturday and Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Latte Café, located at 13780 W. Greenfield Avenue in Brookfield. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted in honor of Gavin. Additionally, From Hair On will donate $5.00 from every client service provided in the salon on Saturday, November 18th.

Anyone interested in performing in this talent show will be required to audition his or her talent prior to the event. Please contact the sponsors at fromhairon@hotmail.com or call 262.789-5262. Appointments must be scheduled by Monday, November 13th.

Gavin is the focus of this fundraising campaign because transplants are expensive! Furthermore, hospitals require that a patient be able to show proof of payment BEFORE they can be placed on a transplant waiting list.

Like most other transplant patients, Gavin has private insurance to cover some of his medical expenses, but many patients reach their lifetime maximum benefits when they are still very young. Why? Because typical insurance plans pay only 80% of the “normal and customary” expenses incurred for a procedure. That means that if a transplant costs $300,000, the patient will likely be responsible for a $60,000 deductible PLUS other related expenses such as temporary housing while the patient is hospitalized, transportation for pre- and post-transplant care, medications, etc. The lifetime total can easily exceed $1,000.000.

When you have a sick child, your insurance coverage is the last thing you need to worry about. In order to help Gavin’s family with costs not covered by insurance, family and friends have joined with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to raise $100,000.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national, nonprofit 501© 3 charity dedicated to helping families raise funds for transplant-related expenses. Your contribution, therefore, is 100% tax deductible.

For more information about the talent show, or other fundraising and volunteer opportunities, please contact Ceil Schwalbach at 262.789.5282 or fromhairon@hotmail.com.

Gavin is going in on November 15th to have urological surgery and have a gtube placement. He will need to be off dialysis for 2-3 days minimum to let himself heal so he will be monitored closely by doctors for his creatinine and urea levels. They are also concerned of peritonitis which would force him into hemodialysis which is NOT an ideal situation. Gavin is a trooper and we expect all good things from this little man, but all prayers and good thoughts will be appreciated!

Gavin is on Continuous Cycler-Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) which first became practical and widely used for kidney failure since the 1980’s.

Gavin’s peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment (which requires sterile technique meaning there is a scrub in time and surgical mask worn during this procedure) is performed every day at home by his parents using a machine called an automated cycler, which performs his exchanges (each cycle of draining and refilling is called an exchange) for ten hours during the night while he sleeps. PD must be performed everyday because fluid must be in his abdomen at all times to clean his blood adequately. Monitoring of his weight and vital signs is also done.

Gavin has a soft tube called a catheter, surgically placed in his abdomen (in the peritoneal cavity) that is used to fill his abdomen with a cleansing liquid called dialysis solution, and also used to carry the dialysis solution out of his abdomen. (Gavin’s catheter has merged with scar tissue created by this surgery and that is how it is kept in place.)

The walls of his abdominal cavity (and yours) are lined with a membrane called the peritoneum which allows waste products, (waste products, such as urea and creatinine, build up in the blood when kidneys fail) and extra fluid to pass from his blood into the dialysis solution the solution contains a sugar called dextrose, salt and other minerals dissolved in water, that pulls wastes and extra fluids from his blood into his abdominal cavity). These wastes and fluids then leave his body when the dialysis is drained, and the used solution, containing these extra fluids and wastes is thrown away.

The period his dialysis solution is in his abdomen is called the dwell time.

Currently, Gavin has ten exchanges a night, for ten hours, with a dwell time of one hour, using the 1.5 and 2.5 liter or combinations of the two, solutions. In the morning his last exchange uses the2.5L solution and his dwell contains 80 cc’s because it must last the entire day.

Sensors will trigger an alarm and shut off his machine if there’s a problem with his inflow or outflow. Because Gavin is drained by gravity, if the alarm goes off (which has happened, sometimes hourly, all night long) Gavin’s parents must come in and wake him up to fix the problem.

Some Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis:

Sometimes CCPD patients may have a solution absorption problem with the daytime exchange because of the long dwell time to remedy this an additional exchange is needed in the mid-afternoon to increase the amount of waste removed and to prevent excessive absorption of fluid (this hasn’t happened to Gavin yet - knock on wood.)

Infection of the peritoneum (peritonitis) abdominal infection – is the most common problem for people like Gavin who are on PD so Gavin’s mom and dad have to wash their hands every time they need to handle his catheter. They must also clean his exit site with antiseptic every day.

Developing diabetes mellitus (requires blood sugar monitoring) or obesity - this develops because of the large glucose (sugar) content of the peritoneal dialysis.

Anemia (low red blood cells) is common to people with kidney disease - Red blood cells (RBC’s) carry oxygen to cells throughout your body. Without oxygen, cells can’t use the energy from food –so- someone with anemia may tire easily and look pale. Anemia also contributes to heart problems.

Anemia is common because failed kidneys cannot produce the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce RBC’s. Fewer RBC’s means less oxygen =’s Anemia.

Gavin is anemic and receives EPO injections.

Renal Osteodystrophy (bone disease) affects up to 90% of dialysis patients. It causes bones to become thin, weak or malformed.

Itching (Pruritus) Itching can be made worse by uremic toxins (poisons) in the blood that dialysis doesn’t adequately remove.

Restless Leg Syndrome aching, uncomfortable, jittery or restless legs make kidney patients feel a strong impulse to kick or thrash their legs (theories about this include nerve damage and chemical imbalances.)

Sleeplessness which can lead to “day-night reversal” headache, depression and decreased alertness.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency - Gavin has this and receives supplements.

Hernias of the abdomen or groin - Gavin has this.

Hyperkalemia - high blood concentrations of potassium that can cause irregular heart beat and cardiac arrest - this makes diet especially important.

Pericarditis - inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.

High Acidity of the Blood.

Heart Failure.

Uremic Encephalopathy – abnormal functioning of the brain.

Bleeding from the site where the catheter is inserted or within the abdomen.

Fluid Flow Blockage caused by blood clots.

Abscess formation caused by infections at the catheter site.

Abnormally low blood albumin.

Partial Intestinal Obstruction – caused by development of too much scar tissue within the peritoneum.

Very low thyroid hormone levels.

Hyperlipidemia - (excessive levels of certain fatty compounds in the blood.)

• It is also known as Chronic Renal Failure or Kidney Failure.
• It is Gavin’s diagnosis.
• It means that Gavin’s kidneys don’t work.
• It is a serious condition that is long term, permanent, and will eventually result in death unless a kidney transplant is performed.

What do the kidneys do?
Their primary functions are to filter the blood and eliminate (excrete) metabolic waste products, excess water and electrolytes (such as potassium, sodium, glucose, bicarbonate – in other words, they regulate fluid balance in the body.

Additionally, many drugs are eliminated by the kidneys.

Kidneys also help regulate blood pressure by:

• excreting excess sodium - if too much sodium in the bloodstream your BP( blood pressure) increases
• secreting the enzyme renin (when BP falls below normal the kidneys secrete renin (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system)

A person with kidney failure is less able to regulate BP and tends to have high BP .

Additionally, kidneys secrete the hormone erythropoietin - which stimulates the production of red blood cells (RBC’s) in the bone marrow and the bone marrow then releases the RBC’s into the bloodstream.

Kidneys (along with several other organ systems) regulate the growth and maintenance of healthy bones by regulating levels of calcium and phosphorous – minerals critical to bone health - they do this by converting inactive vitamin D to active vitamin D - (vitamin D is a type of hormone produced in the skin and present in many foods – “calcitriol” is the active form of vitamin D and it is the calcitriol that stimulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the small intestine).

A note of human interest: on average, approximately one-fifth of your total blood supply, - 1.3 qt (1.2l) of blood - in your body passes through your healthy kidneys every minute.

“RAISE YOUR WINE GLASS to HELP RAISE FUNDS”
for transplant-related expenses in honor of baby Gavin Winslow.

Enjoy high-quality, old world and new wines from around the globe along with a satisfying assortment of hors d’oeuvres. A knowledgeable representative will be on hand for those wishing to engage in a little winespeak. Attire is business casual.

Location: University Club of Milwaukee
924 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(Located at the Northwest corner of Prospect Avenue and Wells Street)
Free and secure parking is available in the adjoining parking structure.

• TICKETS are $75 per person

• TABLE SPONSORSHIPS available for $300

• PLATINUM SPONSORSHIPS available for $1,000 (table sponsorship +10 tickets)

• SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS accepted

To ORDER YOUR TICKETS, please contact Tammy Gawlitta by Monday, October 30, 2006 at 262-787-7037 or miketammygltta@hotmail.com. Checks or money orders should be made payable to COTA, with “In Honor of Gavin Winslow” written on the memo line of the check. Visa, MasterCard American Express and Discover accepted. Donations are tax-deductible.

November 18th and November 19th 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Showcase of talents, looking for singers, artists,poets, photographers and pianists, the sky is the limit at Latte Cafe, 13780 W. Greenfield Ave Brookfield, WI 53005. If Interested in performing, contact Jodi or Ceil at (262) 789-JAVA.

Directions to Latte Cafe

Knights of Columbus in Lake Mills will be holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Gavin on October 28th from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

155 N Main St
Jefferson, WI 53549
(920) 674-4083

Waukesha, WI – The family-fun Emslie Pumpkin Farm will be collecting donations, throughout October, in honor of Gavin Winslow, the sweet, seven-month-old baby in need of multiple kidney transplants.

Emslie Farm realizes that kidney transplants are expensive, around $200,000 each! They are aware that the first year of follow up for Gavin will cost about $40,000, without including any hospital stays he may have during his first year. Moreover, they know that Gavin will need to be monitored for the rest of his life. They understand that the medications needed to keep Gavin’s new kidney functioning, costs on average, $2,000 per month, and that this cost will incur for his family as long as his kidney continues to function. Since the average kidney transplant lasts only 15-20 years they recognize, that at some point, Gavin will need another transplant.

Because of all these expenses, Emslie Farm, along with Gavin’s family and friends, has joined with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to raise $100,000.

The Children’s Transplant Association (COTA) is a national, nonprofit 501© 3 charity dedicated to helping families raise funds for transplant-related expenses. Over the past 20 years they have helped more than 1,000 families, in 49 states, in all regions of the United States, raise millions of dollars for their transplant-related expenses. Contributions to COTA, on behalf of Gavin Winslow, are 100% tax-deductible.

In addition to helping Gavin, Emslie’s Farm features hayrides, a corn maze and a small petting zoo. Pumpkins, corn stalks, straw bales, gourds, squash, and many other decorative and delicious Fall Harvest delights will also be for sale. To boot, Mr. Wil Emslie is sawing away to have his haunted barn ready for a touch of Halloween chills and thrills by next weekend.

Emslie’s Farm is located at S1W26417 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI. Please call 262.617.4032 for specific times and dates of all activities. Groups are invited to call as well.

For more information about Emslie’s Farm, or other fundraising and volunteer opportunities, please contact Jane Schwalbach, 262.549-6129 or janeschwalbach@yahoo.com

(Flu shots—Gav’s doctors have recommended that people in close contact with Gavin get a flu shot.)  Growth hormone approved! Well it was approved, and then they did take backs, and then it was approved again, so after jumping through some hoops and a lot of phone time we should be getting a shipment of his shots starting next week! They have decided to insert a g-tube at his Nov 15th surgery. Not going to comment too much on that because it makes me somewhat nauseous still at this point—another tube sticking out of my son—but it will give him added nutrition so that will help him get to transplant weight sooner. Our neighbors, the Porters gave Gavin his pea in the pod costume for Halloween, isn’t it adorable, he is our little sweet pea! Gavin got a new cousin this week, Annalyse—she’s super cute and Sally is recovering well too! Not too much else new, just trying to get mentally prepared for this surgery and get everything organized. Gavin is diggin the lit up pumpkins! Looking forward to Halloween! Hope all is well! Love ya, Jill

The growth hormone was rejected Weds for Gavin so we are in the process for appeal, its pretty devastating. It is normal for kidney kids not to grow on their own, and the insurance is not convinced yet that it is medically necessary even though he has only grown five inches since birth and is too low to even be on the growth chart. This was an unexpected roadblock and its been a rough week since we found out on Weds. Its so frustrating to be begging all the time for your sons life, its like isn’t having to do therapy, nursing, 15 medicine doses a day, ten hours of dialysis a night enough now I have to prove to you that my son can’t grow, and you know that you are never talking to the person that makes the decision, just some poor customer service person who has no control to help you and feels horrible for you, but can’t do anything. I feel so mad and frustrated today, I keep wishing for all this to just go away…for Gavin to just be able to be a little baby and not have to fight this,its so overwhelming. I’m worried, only 50% of babies on dialysis make it to transplant and insurance companies that stand in the way of him making it there is unbelievable, I would like him to grow and start gaining more weight so that if anything goes wrong during his surgery on the 15th he will be big enough to survive on hemodialysis. Anyway, I am going to get back to the kids, but just wanted to up date you on the latest. Love ya, Jill

Surgery date Nov. 15(pray pray pray) for his bladder, not his transplant (just to clarify, he has to get bigger to get to transplant), dialysis is not going so great right now, we are officially exhausted and Gavin, having recovered for one day, is now coming down with a cough—hence, he won’t be at a lot of activities because we have to minimize his exposure to these illnesses. When it rains it pours! On the upside, he has figured out how to roll off his stomach(that is how much he hates tummy time) and is getting super strong with his sitting (somewhat top heavy so still a little tippy, but its adorable) Same infectious smile and the sweetest little disposition I’ve ever seen! No teeth yet, but we are on the watch! Hug all those you love! Miss ya and love ya—the Winslows

Hi everybody! Gavin has a cold that he can’t shake…but I am hoping that we are at the tail end of it. Last week was crazy, we were at the dr’s mon, weds, fri and in the emergency room at 1 am on Sat, we didn’t bust out of there until 5 am the next day and Lauren had an emergency sleepover at Grammy’s house (which of course she loved) Hes having some urological issues that may force their hand into early surgery so now I am trying to bulk him up, he has lost about a lb. with this cold so its an uphill battle at this point. He is still only 14lbs and 24 inches long. We should be getting trained next week for a growth hormone shot that we will give him daily. Who knows, maybe the NBA is not completely out of his scope yet (: He is beginning to think he is pretty hot stuff and getting into rolling (hes very proud of himself once the roll is complete) His sitting is getting awesome and he really wants to do a lot of new things. Sometimes its easy to forget that he still has the mind of a 8 month old even though he is in the body of like a 3 month old! I’m still coaching him on the mama and I think we may be getting our first tooth soon(he is like a sea urchin, he sucks on everything with such desperation, Lauren is calling him a “sucker face”, he got me so good on the chin he left a mark!). We wanted to say thanks to everyone again for all their love and support, it means the world to us! I love reading the messages, they tend to be a highlight of my days! I heard a couple of quotes that are pertinent to my week this week: Fall seven times, get up eight and its only in the darkness that you can see the stars. Hope all good things are coming your way! P.S. I think Lauren is torn between carebear costume or cat (BIG delima) and Gavin is still undecided in the costume area, but I’m thinking pumpkin!