Courtney’s Liver Transplant Journey

Courtney was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, AIH (Auto-immune hepatitis) at the age of 12 years old in 2009. Over the years her immune system hasn’t be the greatest to her. Not too many months ago her hepatologist at Emory referred us to Piedmont Transplant & they have been so good to us! Within the past 6 months Courtney has gotten much sicker even after finally finding a hepatologist when she transitioned from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to Emory and getting back on all medicines to help control her immune system. She works part time at Belk and is a part time college student studying to become a RN. To minimize stress, because it can hurt her liver, she chose to be part time because her health isn’t in the greatest condition. She also lives on her own. In as little as 6 months, she could be having a liver transplant. Her mother who has agreed that IF she is a perfect match will be donating half of her liver for Courtney. In combination both mother and daughter will be out for weeks and as for Courtney, several months. 1 month of living in Atlanta after transplant, and up to 6 months of no work. Bills will start to add up for both and it is starting to overwhelm her as she becomes sicker. Her mother has a younger toddler (age 4) who she takes care of as a single mother and lives a little over 200 miles from Courtney. Trips every other week are getting closer and closer to each other to Atlanta. The sicker she gets, the more days she isn’t able to work and it’s hurting her in almost every possible way because me (her fiancé) or other family members are having to take off work as well to make sure she goes to her appointments because she needs her support and we (Me, my mother, her mother and her father & step mother & her grandparents) take turns taking her to her doctors appointments. Wether it be for support classes or for multiple tests or even to the ER for sudden changes in her health and routine check-ups at Piedmont. It’s not her fault it’s getting worse and she’s doing everything her doctor is telling her to do and at the rate she’s going now, if she keep declining she could possibly have one sooner, so all members of her team who work so tremendously with Courtney about all her medical needs have agreed that we move as soon as possible because we honestly don’t know how long it’ll be before a transplant. I have set up an account at United Bank in Thomaston, Georgia for donations only. All donations and proceeds through any fundraisers that we’ll have will go mainly to Courtney. If her mother happens to not be the perfect match then they will go to Courtney. Since she lives on her own, she does have rent, utilities, and other bills to pay for and for life after transplant she will have medical expenses, including any and all medicines she will need after transplant, transportation expenses for weekly and monthly visits, lodging for the first month in Atlanta to monitor her new liver and make sure she doesn’t go into any failure and food while in Atlanta for a few weeks. If anyone feels so generous to help her out, it would be a blessing, and if not a donation a simple card would make her smile and give her hope. She’s been battling and hurting for so long as younger teenager and now a young adult. I can’t even begin to wonder what runs through her mind. You can either write a check to Courtney Roberts or too Benjamin Spillers (myself), but I’d prefer y’all write it to her and in the memo line please indicate that it is a donation for her liver transplant so we can keep track of everything. Again, anything and all helps. She has a long road ahead of her and a whole lot of life but we know by the grace of God that he’s not finished with her yet. She’s my world and I’d do anything for her, and if I could take this away I would. I can’t bear seeing her in the pain that she is in or let alone wonder how scared she is because I know that fear is there. But in some light she has come to the conclusion that this is the absolute best thing for her! I can’t wait for her to be able for her to tell her story and inspire so many people! She’s a God fearing Christian who without a doubt is the sweetest human being I have ever met. Thank you to everyone for prayers, concerns and any cards. If you would love to send a card for encouragement to Courtney to help her out through this process and let her know you are praying for her, you can either send them to 510 Meadow Drive Thomaston, Ga 30286 or to 2383 Jeff Davis Road Thomaston, Ga 30286. Any donations, like checks, please send to 510 Meadow Drive. Or donate here! I encourage any and all people to share. Together, we can fight with her in this journey! #CourtStrong