Jarrod's fight against Liver disease
Donation protected
I need your help to save my son’s life! Jarrod has been fighting his diseases for seven years but without treatment his chances of survival are minimal at best.
Jarrod, my first born, is 16 years old and he has:
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Which is at end stage and is in need of a liver transplant
Ulcerative Colitis (pan colitis)
- For the past seven years he has suffered from severe stomach upsets, blood in his stools, severe and constant diarrhea, poor to no nutrient absorption, weight loss and is malnourished to the point that his bone density is at critical levels leaving him unable to participate in many things.
Esophageal Varices
- Similar to varicose veins, although these are in the esophagus. Several of these have just been banded to try and avoid him bleeding out.
Polyp
- His first, which has been removed and sent for analysis.
Some six months ago, when Jarrod's liver truly started to deteriorate and his Ulcerative Colitis was at it’s worst, his general health was at an all time low and getting worse, the hospital could offer no solution apart from waiting for the inevitable liver failure/transplant and colon removal. What chance would he have of a successful operation with both diseases and medications destroying his body. I was desperate and started researching alternative, natural solutions and found Dr Berkson of the Berkson Institute in New Mexico and read of his success with a myriad of diseases using IV administered Alpha Lopoic Acid. No doctor in Australia had ever used this treatment to treat Jarrod's conditions and many were wary, after months of searching however, we finally found a well respected doctor/ naturopath that would treat Jarrod.
Jarrod's ALA treatments, specialist appointments, organic foods, prescribed medications and naturopathic supplements are all extremely expensive. I am a single mum of four (beautiful) children and my mum, dad and my amazing siblings, Dani, Matt, Adam and Im know our battle is far from over, they've supported me as much as possible but they are unable to help any more.
My savings have gone, I have transferred my children to public school and moved into a small apartment and still it seems without the assistance of the wider community I will not be able to continue to pay for what seems to be Jarrod's only chance at surviving this mammoth battle.
Jarrod is an amazing young man, having fought these diseases for the past seven years, he never whines or get's blue about his ill health, he just gets on with it. He is a fantastic big brother to his three younger siblings... just the right amount of teasing and loving :), he is also hero worshiped by seven younger cousins who think he's the coolest thing ever!
Jarrod has been in and out of hospital for tests and infections regularly. He has taken his meds with no arguments (up to 25 tablets a day), has needles stuck into him regularly, has regular colonoscopies and gastroscopies and spends weeks laid up in hospital... he is so very tolerant.
Since his diagnoses and especially over the past 12 months Jarrod had become lifeless, he had no energy, he was losing weight, his belly was becoming distended and he was missing well over 50% of school, much of this was because of his Ulcerative Colitis (pan colitis) which even with a very healthy diet he was experiencing regular flare ups.
12 weeks ago I was sitting in the hospital arguing with doctors not letting them remove his colon. Shortly prior to this discussion, we had started his ALA protocol and since then he has put on 12kgs, he is now attending school regularly and even has a little part time job (which granted he has only had for 3 weeks and has missed 3 of his 6 shifts, but that has been because of hospital visits and tests, not through lack of energy).
With ALA providing such positive results there is a light at the end of the tunnel – a possibility that he may be healthy enough to survive the transplant and he may even keep his colon.
I had never thought I would have a baby that would be so unwell, I can't explain the feeling of sitting next to him in hospital with his monitors beeping, hoping one of the newly banded Varices doesn't start bleeding and knowing that this is not the worst of it. It literally feels like your heart is being squeezed in a vice, I cannot fix my baby, all I can do is be here waiting for him to wake and run a cotton wool swab over his lips for comfort.
I also never thought I would be in a position where I would have to ask for help... but this is what I am doing, anything you can give would be appreciated, whether it be enough for organic vegies for a juice or the price of an ALA IV treatment (Au$130). Even if you cannot help financially can you please help share his story.
Thank you for reading the ramblings of an emotional mum and I would like in advance to thank you for your generous support, may your generosity and goodness come back to you ten fold!
Thank you xoxox
(Oldest of four and this is just a few of his cousins)
(For someone who is gluten, egg and dairy free it is safe to say that hospital food sux!.... fruit and smoothie it is!)
(Two years ago - eight weeks only fruit juices and supplements, he avoided steroids and hospitilisation.)
(Malnourished but not through lack of healthy food)
(Brothers for always and ever, is little Coopers mantra)
(Amazing big brother!)
Jarrod, my first born, is 16 years old and he has:
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Which is at end stage and is in need of a liver transplant
Ulcerative Colitis (pan colitis)
- For the past seven years he has suffered from severe stomach upsets, blood in his stools, severe and constant diarrhea, poor to no nutrient absorption, weight loss and is malnourished to the point that his bone density is at critical levels leaving him unable to participate in many things.
Esophageal Varices
- Similar to varicose veins, although these are in the esophagus. Several of these have just been banded to try and avoid him bleeding out.
Polyp
- His first, which has been removed and sent for analysis.
Some six months ago, when Jarrod's liver truly started to deteriorate and his Ulcerative Colitis was at it’s worst, his general health was at an all time low and getting worse, the hospital could offer no solution apart from waiting for the inevitable liver failure/transplant and colon removal. What chance would he have of a successful operation with both diseases and medications destroying his body. I was desperate and started researching alternative, natural solutions and found Dr Berkson of the Berkson Institute in New Mexico and read of his success with a myriad of diseases using IV administered Alpha Lopoic Acid. No doctor in Australia had ever used this treatment to treat Jarrod's conditions and many were wary, after months of searching however, we finally found a well respected doctor/ naturopath that would treat Jarrod.
Jarrod's ALA treatments, specialist appointments, organic foods, prescribed medications and naturopathic supplements are all extremely expensive. I am a single mum of four (beautiful) children and my mum, dad and my amazing siblings, Dani, Matt, Adam and Im know our battle is far from over, they've supported me as much as possible but they are unable to help any more.
My savings have gone, I have transferred my children to public school and moved into a small apartment and still it seems without the assistance of the wider community I will not be able to continue to pay for what seems to be Jarrod's only chance at surviving this mammoth battle.
Jarrod is an amazing young man, having fought these diseases for the past seven years, he never whines or get's blue about his ill health, he just gets on with it. He is a fantastic big brother to his three younger siblings... just the right amount of teasing and loving :), he is also hero worshiped by seven younger cousins who think he's the coolest thing ever!
Jarrod has been in and out of hospital for tests and infections regularly. He has taken his meds with no arguments (up to 25 tablets a day), has needles stuck into him regularly, has regular colonoscopies and gastroscopies and spends weeks laid up in hospital... he is so very tolerant.
Since his diagnoses and especially over the past 12 months Jarrod had become lifeless, he had no energy, he was losing weight, his belly was becoming distended and he was missing well over 50% of school, much of this was because of his Ulcerative Colitis (pan colitis) which even with a very healthy diet he was experiencing regular flare ups.
12 weeks ago I was sitting in the hospital arguing with doctors not letting them remove his colon. Shortly prior to this discussion, we had started his ALA protocol and since then he has put on 12kgs, he is now attending school regularly and even has a little part time job (which granted he has only had for 3 weeks and has missed 3 of his 6 shifts, but that has been because of hospital visits and tests, not through lack of energy).
With ALA providing such positive results there is a light at the end of the tunnel – a possibility that he may be healthy enough to survive the transplant and he may even keep his colon.
I had never thought I would have a baby that would be so unwell, I can't explain the feeling of sitting next to him in hospital with his monitors beeping, hoping one of the newly banded Varices doesn't start bleeding and knowing that this is not the worst of it. It literally feels like your heart is being squeezed in a vice, I cannot fix my baby, all I can do is be here waiting for him to wake and run a cotton wool swab over his lips for comfort.
I also never thought I would be in a position where I would have to ask for help... but this is what I am doing, anything you can give would be appreciated, whether it be enough for organic vegies for a juice or the price of an ALA IV treatment (Au$130). Even if you cannot help financially can you please help share his story.
Thank you for reading the ramblings of an emotional mum and I would like in advance to thank you for your generous support, may your generosity and goodness come back to you ten fold!
Thank you xoxox
(Oldest of four and this is just a few of his cousins)
(For someone who is gluten, egg and dairy free it is safe to say that hospital food sux!.... fruit and smoothie it is!)
(Two years ago - eight weeks only fruit juices and supplements, he avoided steroids and hospitilisation.)
(Malnourished but not through lack of healthy food)
(Brothers for always and ever, is little Coopers mantra)(Amazing big brother!)Organiser
Mandy Ford
Organiser
Collingwood VIC
