Doctors Finally Discover Why Baby Girl Looks 8-Months-Pregnant!
A miraculous tale of hope and love unfolded as a baby girl with a deadly disease received a life-saving kidney transplant from her own father. Maddy Rybkin, who suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), was born with an abnormally enlarged stomach, a result of the rare condition that tragically claimed the life of her parents’ first child just 36 hours after birth.
Born in November 2013, little Maddy’s kidneys were an astonishing three times larger than those of an adult. Her early months were fraught with sleepless nights, a distended belly, and daily vomiting, leaving doctors fearing for her survival. Her parents, unaware of their recessive gene for PKD until the birth of their son Nathanial, were devastated when he succumbed to the condition shortly after his birth on August 5, 2013. With a one in four chance of future children inheriting the disease, the family remained undeterred in their wish to expand their family.
Maddy’s mother, Karen Rodas, revealed, “When I fell pregnant again, we were both over the moon. Then, at our 20-week scan, they found Maddy’s kidneys were enlarged – a sure sign of PKD, just like Nathaniel. My heart sank. I was determined we didn’t lose our baby to the deadly disease again.” Refusing to consider abortion, the family sought the help of a PKD expert in Philadelphia, who monitored Maddy’s condition closely.
On November 7, 2013, the family received a routine 33-week scan at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, leading to an induced labor due to the risk of Maddy becoming entangled in the umbilical cord. After 12 hours, Maddy was born with an alarmingly bloated stomach, requiring her to stay in the hospital for seven years before finally returning home on Christmas Eve.
Though Maddy appeared to be doing well for the first year-and-a-half, her kidneys suddenly failed, necessitating an urgent transplant. Maddy’s father, Paul Rybkin, a deli owner, turned out to be a perfect match and selflessly donated his kidney to save his daughter. The nerve-wracking surgeries were a success, and Maddy made a remarkable recovery.
Karen shared, “Daddy’s kidney has saved our little girl. Now, she has boundless energy. Her huge tummy now just looks a little bit rounded and she is a happy and healthy two-year-old girl. She laughs so much, big belly laughs. And she feels good, which was something she wasn’t used to. She will need another transplant in 25 years, but that feels like a lifetime away.”
Paul expressed his unwavering commitment to his daughter, stating, “We have been on a rollercoaster – but any father would have done what I did, donating my kidney to Maddy. It’s part of being a parent. With renewed hope and joy, we eagerly look forward to witnessing Maddy’s journey of growing up as a happy and healthy little girl.”
The resilience and strength of this family serve as a testament to the power of love and the unyielding determination to overcome adversity. Maddy’s story is a heartwarming reminder of the extraordinary lengths parents will go to protect their children and cherish every precious moment together.
