E. coli Infection, Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome, Renal Failure

What started as a fun family trip quickly turned into a life-threatening emergency for Botts Jordan.

In early August 2021, Botts, who was just four years old, went camping and visited a waterpark with his family. A few days later, he began feeling sick.

“At first, it was just vomiting and lethargy,” his mother, Blakely, said. “We thought it might pass.” But his condition quickly worsened. He developed severe symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, and after multiple visits to a local hospital, what was initially thought to be an appendix issue was later identified as an E. coli infection.

On August 9, he was admitted to Children’s of Alabama, where doctors soon discovered his condition had progressed to hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that caused his kidneys to shut down. Botts stopped urinating completely for nine days.

“It was terrifying,” Blakely said.

On August 11, Botts had a port placed and began dialysis, along with frequent blood transfusions. The first week was especially difficult. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” his family was told—and it did. Botts experienced confusion and hallucinations as his body fought to recover.

In the middle of it all, he said something his family will never forget. “He told his dad he was supposed to die the night before,” Blakely said. “And Jesus told him, ‘not today.’”

After about a week of intensive treatment, Botts began to improve. He started producing urine again, a hopeful sign that his kidneys were beginning to recover. Dialysis treatments gradually decreased, and after 24 days in the hospital, Botts was able to go home.

Recovery, however, didn’t end there. Weeks of being confined to a hospital bed led to muscle atrophy, and Botts needed physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength. “He had to learn how to sit up again,” Blakely said.

Despite the challenges, he continued to improve. When he left the hospital, his kidney function was around 70 to 80 percent. Today, it has improved to about 91 percent. He still takes medication for high blood pressure and continues to be monitored, but his family is hopeful.

“When we left the hospital, we didn’t know what the future would hold,” Blakely said. “Now we feel like this is something sustainable.”

Throughout their stay, the Jordan family says the care they received made all the difference. “We could not have asked for better care,” Blakely said. Even under COVID-19 precautions, the staff made sure they felt supported and informed every step of the way.

It was often the small things that meant the most. The family arrived by ambulance with nothing, but the hospital provided essentials like clothing and toiletries. Nurses found ways to lift Botts’ spirits, even bringing him special pajamas. When a family member suggested washing his hair might help him feel better, a nurse stepped in to make it happen.

The dialysis team also left a lasting impression. “They came to him when he couldn’t go to them,” Blakely said. “They learned the names of his stuffed animals. It was very personal.”
Today, Botts is a happy, active child who loves sports and music. He is learning multiple instruments—including the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and piano—and dreams of one day attending the University of Alabama.

He’s also passionate about giving back. As a UAMiracle Kid, Botts enjoys raising money and awareness for the hospital that cared for him. “He will ask anyone to donate,” Blakely said. “He’s very proud to support Children’s.”

Looking ahead, his family hopes his health continues to improve—and that his experience shapes the person he becomes. “I hope he understands his health and has compassion for other medical kids,” Blakely said.

From a life-threatening illness to a future full of possibility, Botts’ story is one of resilience, faith, and hope.