SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas - Jace Glenn is making great strides with his walker. Doctors say it's remarkable progress, considering the toddler just checked out of a Dallas hospital for a lifesaving kidney transplant.
The procedure took place Jan. 30.
His mom, Makenzie, was the donor and now that they are back home in Sulphur Springs, she stares in disbelief at the medical marvel of her adult-sized kidney living inside of her three-year-old little boy.
"Oh yeah, he's a miracle!" Makenzie Glenn said. "He's a miracle five times over, because of all the things he's been through."
She was told her son may not survive when doctors removed both of Jace's kidneys when he was one month old.
And there was another close call after the recent kidney transplant at Dallas' Medical City Children's Hospital. Complications developed and her son was losing blood.
"Even my surgeon came in and said, 'Makenzie, when he had to have the second surgery, it's not going to be easy and I'm going to do the best I can, but can you still tell all your people to pray.' And we prayed again and every time God sees us through."
We watched Jace put on his cowboy hat and get on his rocking horse, proof the lil' cowboy is bucking the odds again.
His mom said he's playing nonstop - something he couldn't do until now.
"Before the transplant, Jace would just get so tired and exhausted," Makenzie said. "He didn't feel like playing and he could only walk a few feet."
Jace underwent dialysis for three years, fighting infection after infection. Having a constant catheter restricted him from just being a kid.
"He got to play in the bath tub last night in a bubble bath, and he'd never been able to do that," his mom said. "I guess it's just remarkable... Just to see all the things he is able to do now."
Makenzie and her husband, Jared, say it's no coincidence they named their only child Jace - it means healer.
They want to thank everyone for their prayers, saying faith is the reason Jace is truly a walking miracle.
Doctors say the kidney is showing no signs of rejection so far. He is on seven medications. Eventually, he will need another transplant, but mom hopes that is way down the line.
"He can finally just enjoy the normalcy of being a playful kid," she said.
E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com
