Local teen receives kidney transplant

Adam Zweig had a successful kidney transplant July 23.

By:Nick D’Amore
   Miracles can happen every day, sometimes right in our own back yards.
   The proof is in Adam Zweig, a 16-year-old South Brunswick High School senior this September, resident of Dayton and until July 23, in need of a kidney transplant.
   That night at 11:45, Adam and his mother, Eileen, received a call that there was kidney available and that Adam was more than likely the best match for it. However, it wouldn’t be until about 12 hours later that they would learn that Adam was, indeed, getting a new kidney.
   But, Adam said he remained pretty calm and collected throughout the wait.
   "When I knew I was high on list, I wasn’t anxiously waiting for the transplant. I didn’t stress over it," he said.
   Ms. Zweig said Adam was put on the United Network of Organ Sharing last summer, a national list of people in need of organ transplants.
   "It’s a national list and usually you can wait up to 12 years. There are close to 50,000 in the U.S. waiting for kidneys. The list goes up by a thousand every month," she said.
   Ms. Zweig said children, if under 18, have a better chance of receiving an organ.
   "You get points for how sick you are, how long on you’ve been on dialysis and your age," she said.
   "Once you’re 18 you can wait a while for an organ. We’re lucky the disease came about when it did, so he was fairly high up on list," she said.
   Ms. Zweig said Adam first had kidney problems at age 9. As he got older, his kidney function got lower and other problems increased, such as high potassium levels.
   "High potassium levels could cause heart problems, so he needed dialysis. The next step is a transplant," she said.
   Dialysis is a procedure that removes toxins in the body that the unhealthy kidney cannot remove itself.
   "He was very sick right before he went on dialysis. He was falling asleep during class and missing a lot of school. He was very fatigued. Once he started going, it made him feel better," said Ms. Zweig.
   Adam went for the dialysis procedure three days a week for six hours at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. There, he formed a bond with other kids who were on dialysis.
   "Eight of them always went the same time as Adam, so they formed a very special friendship. They all care about each other a lot," said Ms. Zweig.
   Prior to receiving his transplant, Adam was recognized by the National Kidney Foundation of New York/New Jersey, Inc. for his positive attitude in the face of adversity.
   He was recommended for the Bright Star Patient Recognition Award by his home instructor, Carol Piza. Ms. Piza answered eight questions regarding Adam’s positive outlook and effect on other people.
   "He is very sensitive to the needs of others despite the fact that he is ill and could easily just focus on himself," said Ms. Piza in her submission to the foundation.
   Ms. Piza was Adam’s teacher in seventh and eighth grade at Crossroads School. Ms. Zweig said she also provided home school instruction since then when Adam needed it.
   Adam said his outlook on life is simply something that comes naturally.
   "I really just do it. I can’t really explain it, it’s just who I am. I don’t like to look at negatives," he said.
   He said he got word that he received the award in June, which included a check from the foundation for $250 for him and a $500 check for his facility.
   "There were a lot of entries, I never even thought about winning. Someone in my unit was also in it, so I was really surprised I won it," said Adam.
   Now that Adam has gotten a new kidney, he will have to go to the transplant clinic of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia every Monday and Thursday for six weeks for follow-up blood work.
   He also will have to take Prograf and Cellcept, anti-rejection medicines used so the kidney stays fully functioning, for the rest of his life.
   Adam will have to stay out of crowds for the next four to six weeks because he is at great risk of infections because his immune system has been weakened by the medication.
   However, that will be just in time for him to return to SBHS to finish up his final year there. Adam said he even got a call from Superintendent Sam Stewart to wish him well.
   "I can’t wait. At first, I thought I would miss first week. Now, I think I’ll make it for the first day," he said.