10-Year-Old Boy Conquers Chronic Kidney Disease with Miami Transplant Institute

By: Ruelle Champion

Rosisabel Bravo was about 29 weeks pregnant in 2015 when she learned her son, Adam Siles, would likely not be going home with her once he was born.

“It was the most difficult time of my life,” Bravo said. “Everyone else is going home with a baby and I’m going home empty handed.”

Adam was born on November 6, 2015 and was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease caused by posterior urethral valves. It’s a rare condition that stops urine flow and causes kidney damage.

“Every day brought up new challenges,” Bravo said. “There were six weeks of him going through daily testing.”

During his first few weeks of life, Adam’s lungs collapsed, he had urinary tract infections, high fevers, and needed a feeding tube. His first surgery was at 2-months-old to save his remaining kidney function.

“You really become an expert without the medical degree,” Bravo said.

By the time Adam was 3, the family moved to South Florida. They connected in 2022 with Jayanthi Chandar, MD, medical director of pediatric kidney transplant at Miami Transplant Institute to start Adam’s path to transplant.

“He is one of our patients who we decided on listing for transplant before considering or starting dialysis,” Dr. Chandar said.

Adam’s kidney function declined fast and the possibility of dialysis was becoming more real. The fastest way to avoid that was a living kidney donor.

“A living donor was Adam’s best option and his parents were both a match for the procedure,” Dr. Chandar said.

Adam’s dad decided to donate so that Bravo could manage Adam’s recovery and take care of his siblings. After a few delays, Adam’s surgery was scheduled for August 29, 2023.

“The first time I cried out of shock was when they told me his father was approved,” Bravo said.

On transplant day, all Adam could think about was his dad’s safety.

“The first thing he wanted to do was FaceTime his dad and make sure he was okay,” Bravo said. “It took a lot of therapy and reassurance. Your job now is to go to school and be a kid.”

The transplant was a success. Adam’s body began to heal and he’s gained nearly 20 pounds since then.

“His future is really bright and he got a really good kidney,” Dr. Chandar added. “A huge part of his success is due to the dedication of his mother and family.”

Since his transplant, Adam has been able to enjoy childhood in ways that others may take for granted.

“One of Adam’s happiest moments after transplant was trying a banana for the first time,” Bravo said. “Kidney disease kept him from potassium-rich foods. He kept saying, ‘bananas are so good.’”

Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Adam and his family got to visit the set of one of his favorite tv shows during filming, The Rookie, and even met some of the actors.

“It was such a big deal for him to have this wish and now all he thinks about are ways he can give back,” Bravo said. “Raising a chronically ill child isn’t easy and you have to make sure they become a good human being.”

The family participates in fundraising walks and runs throughout South Florida, and Adam recently gave a speech at Florida International University’s Roar-a-thon.

“The reward for all of the struggle is getting to see him come out the other side and just be a kid,” Bravo said.