Hasan Hosein

Often, for an exotic get-a-away, vacationers consider a paradise retreat somewhere on a tropical island, with a sultry climate and sandy beaches. But, when Hasan Hosein and his father planned their trip to paradise, it was to Rochester, Minnesota, during the coldest months of the year, to consult with doctors at Mayo Clinic. And, they purchased one-way tickets to a place they knew little about.

"Immediately, I fell in love with the snow," says Hasan, a 17-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, the most southern islands of the Caribbeans, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Considered a tropical hideaway, surrounded by golden sand and calm blue waters, why would someone leave for the frigid temperatures of a Minnesota winter?

"Doctors told me I had a kidney problem that couldn't be treated in Trinidad," says Hasan, who had irreversible renal failure when he arrived at Mayo Clinic. "We heard about Mayo Clinic and purchased one-way tickets in early October," says Hasan's father, Noor Hosein. "We had no idea what would happen or how long we would need to be at Mayo Clinic. We were going to stay as long as necessary."

Falling victim to circumstances

"It was during Ramadan, when we were doing our traditional fasting," remembers Hasan. "During this month, I typically feel weak during the day when I don't eat or drink," he explains, "so I was feeling pretty normal for Ramadan." In addition, Hasan was battling a virus that left him with a slight fever and headache.

Hasan didn't let circumstances prevent him from playing a game he loves — cricket, a highly competitive team sport. Hasan has played cricket since he was old enough to swing a bat. He is an accomplished specialist batsman who has hit many sixes (or homeruns) and he can defend against the best of players.

Although the game may not appear taxing to the unenlightened observer, a formal game of cricket can last anywhere from a full afternoon to several days. Although the game play and rules are different, the basic concept of cricket is similar to that of baseball.

"When Hasan collapsed on the cricket field, we thought it was the result of being dehydrated and exhausted," remembers Hasan's father Noor, "so we weren't overly concerned at that point. We simply thought he was a typical teenage, competitive athlete who had overdone it in hot weather."

However, Hasan's parents would soon become very concerned. Originally from India, they came to Trinadad to establish a retail business, selling authentic Indian garments. They were blessed with three children, all active and healthy, but received some startling news about their youngest son.

"The doctors in Trinidad told us that Hasan was born with a kidney disorder that could not be treated with drugs. He was already in end-stage renal failure and his only option for a normal life was a kidney transplant. However, they had never performed a transplant on a young patient and were unwilling to pursue that option."

"Our emotions were weaving," recalls Noor. "In a very short time, we went from watching a healthy typical teenager playing cricket to the idea of losing him." After doing some research, the Hosein family found hope, but would need to travel nearly 3000 miles to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to explore a life-saving kidney transplant for Hasan.

Discovering another side of the world

"When Hasan arrived, his kidney disease was very advanced," says Dawn Milliner, M.D., a pediatric nephrologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "Even though Hasan was living normally — and it's not common — it does happen that a patient doesn't develop readily apparent symptoms until the disease has markedly progressed."

It's possible for more than 60, or even 70 percent of kidney function to be lost before there are definite symptoms of kidney disease. Indications of advancing kidney disease may include foamy urine, recurrent kidney or bladder infections, fluid retention, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, muscle cramping, and in children, slow growth. "Symptoms can be subtle until end-stage kidney failure is reached," says Dr. Milliner.

Because Hasan came to Mayo with such advanced kidney failure, it was not possible to determine an exact cause for — or give a name to — his disease. "Hasan's kidneys were extremely small and scarred, which indicates a disorder that had been present for some time ... possibly from birth," explains Dr. Milliner.

Dr. Milliner explained treatment options to Hasan and his father, which included dialysis or a kidney transplant. Because the best chance for a near-normal life was a kidney transplant, they met with Mayo Clinic Pediatric Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Michael Ishitani, who explained the options of deceased donor and living donor transplants. Then, they ran a series of sophisticated compatibility tests and explained the living donor option to Noor, telling him that he could donate a kidney for his son.

"That's why I came along," Noor told them.

After a successful transplant, Hasan and Noor remained in Rochester for four months, experiencing the full effects of a Minnesota winter. "It's like a magical, white paradise," they both agree.

"I really wanted to ski or snowboard, but knew I should wait," laughs Hasan. "But I enjoyed the beautiful snow and seeing my breath when I talked outside."

Since his surgery, the Hoseins have returned to Rochester three times and deliberately plan their visits when they will get to see the snow and trees covered with their polar blankets.

Return to normalcy

Today, Hasan is a pretty typical teenager. He loves to play video games, especially Star Wars. And, he's developed a new interest — which could turn career — gourmet cooking. "I can do steak and potatoes really well, but curry chicken is my specialty," says Hasan.

"To me, he's back to a typical teenager," reports his father. "He doesn't talk a great deal, he gets cranky at times and he's always hungry." And, Hasan resumed playing cricket — with all the enthusiasm as before — and now with protective gear. "He's not a pro by any means, but among his family and friends, he's definitely 'major league,'" says Noor.

Life has returned to normal for the Hosein family. "We are grateful to have a normal life back for our family and especially for Hasan," says Noor. "He has a future ahead of him thanks to God and Mayo Clinic.

"It's mentally healthy for Hasan to regard his life as normal after his transplant," explains Dr. Milliner. "He has an excellent life expectancy and can participate in sports and other activities as he wishes. The only requirements are that he take his daily medication to prevent organ rejection and have regular medical checkups."

"Everyone tells me that donating my kidney was such a remarkable, incredible gesture," says Noor. "But, it felt normal and natural to me. But what Mayo Clinic did was incredible and remarkable — taking my kidney and making it work for my son. I would willingly do it again ... and yes, I realize I only have one kidney left."