HOUSTON, Sept. 20, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- University of Texas star baseball outfielder Carson Kainer, 21, recently underwent a kidney transplant and is currently recovering at Texas Children's Hospital. Carson's father, Ron, donated the kidney to his son during a combined eight hours of surgery. Carson, long known throughout the baseball world as a player who was destined for the major leagues, went through the surgery without complications.
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Diagnosed at 2 years old with chronic renal failure, Carson and his family have known since the beginning that this day would eventually come. A case of chicken pox that wouldn't clear up sent the Kainer family to the doctor where they received the surprising but life-saving diagnosis of a urinary tract infection in abnormal kidneys present since birth, but never before symptomatic. Carson had corrective surgery at 2 years old to relieve obstruction in one of the kidneys, and again at age 6 to correct reflux into both kidneys. Since then, Carson has been able to live a relatively unaffected life, except for regular visits to the kidney doctor and daily medications.
Dr. Eileen Brewer, chief of Texas Children's Renal Center, has been Carson's physician since he was 6 years old. An avid baseball fan herself, she related to Carson's desire to be able to perform at his highest level. She monitored him closely, medicated him accordingly and educated him on how to listen to his body.
"We've tried to educate him about his disease as he grew up, so he could take care of himself on and off the field," said Dr. Brewer.
It worked. Carson was originally told that his kidney wouldn't last through puberty. He's surprised everyone by how far it has taken him. Carson's love of baseball began when he started playing T-ball. Even back then he stood out from the other kids in his understanding of the game. He was catching fly balls and making triple plays at 6 and 7 years of age. With each year that he played, his skills and his passion for baseball grew.
Upon graduation from high school, Carson was offered several baseball scholarships. He chose to go with the nationally recognized University of Texas Longhorns baseball team, where he has become a star player. He has played in the College World Series two out of the three years he has attended the university. In June, the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the 14th round. The day before he was to officially sign with the Cincinnati Reds, he was told that his kidney was functioning at 13 percent and that he needed to have a transplant now.
"Even though Carson was playing baseball very well, he could not have gone on much longer without dialysis or a transplant," said Dr. Brewer.
Carson had a tough decision to make, but he chose to put his health first. He put off signing with the Cincinnati Reds, and his dreams of playing professional baseball, to have a kidney transplant and return for his senior year at the University of Texas.
"It was disappointing to take a step back from my dreams for a little bit, but I'm excited that I get to go back to college and play my senior year at Texas, one of the best baseball schools there is," said Carson. "I'll be much closer to finishing my degree and I'll have this over with before I start professional baseball."
"The people at Texas Children's have gotten me this far," said Carson. "They've kept me in the game all the way up into college baseball. I know they're going to get me back on the field."
Following a six-week recovery period in Houston, Carson will return to Austin. He plans on moving forward with his dream when he rejoins the Longhorns in the spring for his final year of eligibility.
About Texas Children's Hospital
Established in 1954 and located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas Children's Hospital is committed to providing the finest possible patient care, education and research. The nonprofit hospital is ranked among the top five pediatric hospitals nationwide by both U.S.News and World Report and Child. For more information, visit the website at www.texaschildrenshospital.org.
Photos also available at AP PhotoExpress.
