Nathan’s Story
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| Photos courtesy of Guy Atchley. |
Three year-old Nathan Contreras has Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a fatal genetic disorder that affects more than 30,000 Americans. This disease is marked by chronic infections, clogged airways, and digestive and reproductive problems.
In CF patients, problems occur because the mucus in their lungs is very thick and sticky. Instead of serving as a lubricant, it clogs the respiratory system and allows bacteria to grow within it, impairing the body's natural defenses. The thick mucus also obstructs the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestines to digest food.
In 2005, Patrick and Lesli Contreras learned that their son would join that number.
“In Jan 2005, when Nathan was born he was ‘fine/healthy’ – good weight, and everything about the birth and pregnancy on his end had been okay. I'd had some complications, but everything was always my stuff, not his,” said Lesli. “During his first week after he was born his stool changed colors, to a bright green. I had an older son, and had been a nanny for about 15 years and new children pretty well...this particular 'color' seemed strange to me.”
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| Photo courtesy of Guy Atchley. |
Over the next several weeks, baby Nathan began to break out in small pimple-like bumps. At first the doctor told Lesli not to worry – all was fine. But as the bumps began to appear all over his tiny body, Lesli grew more concerned. The doctors thought it was thrush and prescribed a topical cream, but it didn’t help. Lesli sought help time and time again, but she was told Nathan was fine, don’t worry.
It was just a couple of days later when everything came to a head.
“I went to change Nathan’s diaper and as I took off his diaper I was horrified to see that his rash was inflamed worse than it had ever been and looked as though he'd been burned in acid and then his thighs and parts of his legs had turned green.”
Lesli was referred to Dr. Ron Hanson, who immediately noticed that Nathan was not getting the nutrition he needed. It was Dr. Hanson who suggested Nathan be tested for CF.
“Dr. Hanson had seen CF with a rash several years earlier, though we didn't know it until after his test was confirmed positive. He'd published an article about the rash and most doctors were unaware of it, because it was so rare. We had no idea what cystic fibrosis was. I'd heard of it, but I didn't even know what it was.”
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| Photo courtesy of Guy Atchley. |
“When we got home we looked it up on WebMD. One of the first things it says is that cystic fibrosis is terminal. We couldn't believe it. We went through our family history, and anything we could think of, or our moms could think of because it's a recessive genetic disease. It also said ‘primarily a Caucasian disease.’ Well Patrick is Hispanic, so this didn't seem to fit, and no where was there a rash mentioned.”
Then came April 10th, the day the Contreras family received the news that Nathan did indeed have CF.
“We got the news that Nathan’s liver had gone down to 30% and the test was positive for CF....That was our 'welcome to the world of CF.' I'd equate it to being strapped to the front of a train facing a brick wall having your eyes stapled open and the wall gets closer and closer.”
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| Photo courtesy of Guy Atchley. |
“We were devastated," said Lesli. “Sad would be an understatement. We prayed...a lot. My husband and I had actually just rededicated our lived to the Lord a few weeks before this happened on Easter at the Calvary Chapel celebration they do at the convention center. We'd been praying so much during this time and we both feel that if we hadn't had that mercy and grace from the Lord of Restoration and forgiveness from Him that it would have been much more difficult for us to handle.”
It was a long road of many ups and downs, trips to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and daily concerns for Nathan’s health. Nathan is now three and from all outward appearances is a bubbly, happy little boy.
“He's been doing pretty well right now, and even as of a few months ago, he started to eat again! It's been a true answer to prayers, and though it's slow and small amounts, we are confident that as his confidence grows, he'll do a little more and more as time goes on.”
And now, with their son doing better, the Contreras family is dealing with the other harsh reality that comes with CF: medical bills.
“As soon as Nathan was diagnosed, that very next sentence the doctor said to us was that the CF Team here in Tucson (at that time) was not contracted with our insurance. So we had to pay up front and out of pocket for everything. It took five months and a letter from another doctor who kindly wrote a letter on our behalf to the insurance company requesting that they cover Nathan's CF.”
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Patrick and Lesli also applied for financial aid but didn’t qualify because of their income level. It wasn’t until October of 2007 that the Contreras’ were able to get some help. And while some fees are covered, others still must be paid for out of their own pocket, including Nathan’s feeding tube supplies, prescription milk and asthma medication.
With costs piling up, Lesli began to look for other ways to pay the tremendous medical bills. From fundraisers to even writing a book, the Contreras family reached out to the community for much-needed help.
“In '05 we started doing a annual benefit dinner to help raise money for a fund we had set up for Nathan at Bank of America right after he was diagnosed and we found out we weren't going to be able to qualify for any aid. We've had a tremendous outpouring of support, prayers and love from this community, and it's one of the biggest things that has made all of what we've been through more bearable.
“Doug Martin (owner of KVOI radio station) helped host the dinners, as well as offer much support, prayer, and so much practical help it's unreal to us. He also wrote the forward to ‘Nathan's Story’ which was a little book I'd written in hopes of sharing about our son and CF with others.”
Leslie admits that while she tries to be strong, there are times that she is overcome by the immensity of Nathan’s illness.
“I feel since I am a Christian I am not really supposed to be afraid, that it means my faith is weak if I cry or get sad or wonder why this happened to him,” said Lesli.
“Life can change in a heartbeat. We've all heard that before, even known it...know it's just more real to us, and makes us value what we do have more I think.”
And Nathan?
“He's a little sweet pea and as funny as they get. He's so full of energy and will do little summersaults and jumps, loves to run around and round. He has more energy than my husband, Patrick, our son, Thomas, and myself put together, that's for sure! For blessings like that, we feel very blessed.”
“He's got an exceptional sweetness about him, a genuine caring and happy spirit. We feel the Lord is really using his life, story and all to bring others closer to the Lord. He certainly has been used like that in our own lives and marriage.”
Visit Nathan’s webpage at www.contrerashome.us. On the website you can find out more about Nathan, purchase a copy of “Nathan’s Story” (also available through Amazon.com), and make a donation through PayPal. To find out more about Cystic Fibrosis, visit www.cff.org.
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
