Our baby girl was 5 weeks old yesterday. We met with several doctors today and have a bit of a plan for now. One of Abigail's GI doctors made a call to a liver specialist at a transplant facility to find out more about potential liver transplant. They discussed her case in length and decided we really need to wait a full 3 months from the Kasai procedure to really know if it has been successful or not. The doctor explained that sometimes it takes a while for the liver to reconfigure itself. In other words, don't give up on the liver yet!
There are several requirements that she must meet in order to even be put on a transplant list:
1. She must be at least 4kg which is around 9-10lbs. She is currently about 6 lbs.
2. She can't have any other problematic organs, i.e. kidney, lungs (which is why we must correct her heart issues prior to transplant)
3. She can't have any other life threatening illness.
Therefore, at this point she is not a candidate for a liver transplant.
Her liver is simply not in bad enough shape right now to be put on the list.
Another bit of information we received was that the doctors don't believe Abigail having Cat Eye Syndrome should affect her chances of receiving a transplant. This is great news!
In the meantime, we will press on and move forward with Abigail's heart surgery. The cardiovascular team will meet tomorrow and discuss her case with this new information. We expect to find out soon what their plan of action is and when they would like to perform the heart surgery.
For ongoing recovery her doctors have increased calories in her formula in efforts to promote weight gain. They will continue to increase calories until they see steady growth. The liver specialist also recommended starting some antibiotics to fight possible infection, so Miss Abigail got a new IV.
It's been a long day but we are glad a plan is forming that we can work towards. We continue to pray for the healing of her liver and we remain hopeful that the Kasai procedure will prove a success. Thanks for checking in on her.
A visit from Aunt Brittany!
Daddy and his sweet little girl!
The next person who sticks a needle in me is gonna get it!
7 comments:
Steph and Jody,
The pictures are adorable and funny. She looks like a little princess in some of them and a little fighter in one. We are so glad you all are getting a plan and we will all pray for continued healing. Aunt Debbie and Uncle Tim
She looks older already! Abigail is so pretty. It sounds like a great plan. We will be praying for the procedure to work!
I am so excited that you guys have a "plan"...I know that makes you both feel some relief. I must say that I laughed out loud at the picture where Miss Abigail has "her dukes up"...she is a little fighter and we will "Keep Believing" in her ultimate healing. Our God is faithful and He is our Healer! Love you both dearly!
I don't know if you remember me from KD, but since I came across your blog I've been keeping Abigail in my prayers. She always looks so cute in her little girly outfits and hats. :)
I am cracking up over the fist balled up picture. I love to laugh in the midst of everything, it washes the heart and soul and gives refreshing. May God continue to bless and keep you all.
Thanks for the update. We love the pictures. Prayers going up daily for you all. We love you guys.
Chris and Jessie Mitchell
I love the pictures and knowing how to pray for all of you! Elizabeth Hostin
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