Editor’s note: Andria Reymore was born and grew up in Batesville. A 1992 Southside High School graduate, she is a freelance writer in Las Vegas. Her husband, David, was a Navy pilot until 2008 and now works as an analyst for a civilian company.
It was around 3:45 a.m. when David Reymore entered the hospital room where his wife, Andria Bullard Reymore, was attempting to sleep in a chair, and their son, Daniel, awaited his kidney transplant.
His donor was his mother.
Daniel Reymore was just one month shy of his second birthday, and he and Andria had been admitted to Mattel Children’s Hospital at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Against all odds, Daniel had survived to this point. Five months into Andria’s pregnancy, doctors told the Reymores that there was little chance their baby would survive.
“He had developed only one kidney, and it wasn’t working well,” David said. “We were devastated. We saw many doctors until we found one who said simply, ‘I think he has a chance.’”
For the next four months, Daniel continued to grow and was born prematurely at 34 weeks.
“He had a tough fight, but he refused to give up,” Andria said. “Within a week, he began the fight of his life — almost two years of daily dialysis. We researched kidney-transplant programs across the country. We chose UCLA and began the process of coordinating Daniel’s transplant before he was born. He was followed by his nephrologist, Dr. Hay Cheam, who has been both his doctor and a trusted adviser and friend. Thanks to his meticulous care, and that of his team, Daniel was in the best possible health for his transplant.”
Because Daniel’s potassium levels were elevated, he needed dialysis before his surgery on Sept. 28. Andria parted with her son and left him in her mother’s care as she went to prepare for her own surgery.
“We sat engaged in an anxious bout of jovial discourse, which kept either of us from thinking about what was to come,” David said about trying to make his wife as comfortable as possible. “Refreshing while it lasted, it couldn’t go on forever. Reality set in as we were informed that we would likely not see Daniel before surgery, as they would take him directly from dialysis.”
While Andria was lying in her bed wearing a hospital gown and hairnet, David said he believed she was the bravest, most beautiful woman on Earth that morning.
“I’m not sure how I would act in that situation, the roles being reversed, but I know it would not have been the graceful, determined performance that she was putting forth,” David said.
He was told by the hospital staff to see his wife off to surgery.
“Andria’s tears made mine difficult to hold back,” David said. “They stopped at a door and told me I might be able to see Daniel if I waited there. Andria’s anesthesiologist stopped to provide some reassuring words. As I watched her move down the hall at a hurried pace, retying the straps of her surgical mask, it felt not unlike watching my buddies launch off the bow of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, leaving behind steel and steam, taking their jets into battle. I knew this was a team of rock stars.”
Daniel and his grandmother, Gina Strickland, approached David.
“I reached to caress his forehead and tried to comfort him with my voice. Nothing came, and Gina was having a hard time, as well,” David said. “Daniel’s spirits were high. … Smiles came freely. I got a second chance to wish him luck: ‘Godspeed, little man.’ Although his bravery was unmatched, my encore was a small success, and I was thankful for it.”
Gina and David waited in a room called “Maddie’s Room.” Although they were both curious about the namesake, neither asked.
Andria was in the hospital just overnight, but Daniel had to stay for three weeks.
“We received many messages from friends and family in Batesville, and seeing familiar names and kind words from home always brought tears to my eyes,” Andria said. “We received tremendous support from our Las Vegas family,” and other groups, she said. “My mother was beside me every step of the way, caring for our family for over two years. It’s a gift we know we can never repay.”
Andria said the changes in Daniel since the surgery this year have been dramatic.
“The little boy who, by scientific measure, should never have been born is very much alive, and for that I am grateful beyond words,” Andria said. “I know miracles happen and hope Daniel’s story will inspire others to never give up hope, no matter how dire the situation may seem.”