Hi, everybody:

I have an adopted two-year-old baby boy, who is the treasure of my life.

My son had Cystic Fibrosis. Some time ago, he had a transplant of one heart, two lungs, and two kidneys. These transplants were not realized in the USA or in Europe, but in another country. I know it is normal for persons (children and adults) to have transplants of one heart and two lungs when needed but, just for your information, I would like to explain you why my son had a transplant of two kidneys, instead of one, as is always the case for everybody. My child was born with two kidneys, so I want him to live with two kidneys, especially considering the fact he has to take many, many medications (including immuno-suppressants) for the rest of his life, so I believe he needs his two kidneys instead of just one, to clear the metabolites of his medications better. Of course, other transplant patients can and usually do live with one kidney, because the other donor's kidney is needed for another patient. I realize another patient could have obtained this second kidney, but I will admit my priority is my beloved baby.

I have several questions:

1) When my son gets older and is old enough to understand, how can I tell him about his past disease and his transplants, without traumatizing him?

2) When my child knows about his past disease, how to reassure him he will not get it again?

3) When my son knows about his transplants, will he accept his new organs as his own or will he psychologically reject them as not being his own?

4) How to help my child accept his transplanted organs as his own?

5) Will my son's transplanted organs (heart, lungs, kidneys) last for the rest of his life or will he, someday, need another transplant of one or all of these organs?

6) If my child, someday, needs another transplant of one or all of these organs, how will I and his surgeons know about it so I can look for these organs again, with the help of one friend and of his biological grandparents?

7) Will my son have to take his immuno-suppressants for the rest of his life?

8) Are there books or web sites to help children understand Cystic Fibrosis and organs transplants?

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences about your child's Cystic Fibrosis and organs transplants, if one of your children went through this experience. If it is emotionally too painful for you to write about it, I will understand if you prefer to keep these experiences for yourselves.

Thank you also for your information.