Joey’s Journey

Joey was born with a genetic condition called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Alpha-1 is a rare disease that makes an enzyme in the liver work poorly, can cause significant liver damage and for Joey lead to liver failure.

On February 28th Joey was admitted to the hospital for a liver transplant from a live donor. After a 12-hour surgery Joey was in critical condition. By the next day it was determined that he would need another transplant and was listed 1A status, meaning life expectancy without a transplant of less than 7 days. Thankfully, a new liver was found, and his little body responded beautifully to it!

Unfortunately, Joey’s recovery has been complicated, resulting in six surgeries over three weeks. What began as a two-week hospital stay has turned into a month and his doctors still aren’t certain when he will be able to return home.

Three weeks into Joey’s hospitalization, his Mama Alyssa went into preterm labor with twins and delivered them via emergency c-section, two floors down from Joey at Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan.

We are grateful that Joey has finally been moved out of the PICU and the babies were recently moved to the same floor. This is logistically more convenient for their understandably exhausted parents. We are hopeful that Zach, Alyssa, Joey and the twins will go home in the next couple weeks. They will be bringing home a 4-year-old who requires 15 medications every morning, has a drain that continually leaks bile, a picc line, an NG tube, AND premature twins. Oh, did I mention there is a sweet, three-year-old brother named Eli at home too?

Zach and Alyssa’s strong faith is seeing them through this crisis. However, not being able to work the past month has taken a toll and there are financial challenges associated with living in a hospital, an hour away from home. When Joey does return home, he will need weekly visits back to the hospital in Ann Arbor for testing and medical treatment. Joey and his family have a very long road ahead.

To that end, and due to the tremendous financial burden, we have started a Go Fund Me page to assist this sweet family during their difficult journey.

Please be praying for Joey’s complete healing, the twin’s development, Mom, Dad and brother Eli as he eagerly awaits his family’s return home.

Here is a a link to the private FaceBook page where you can follow Joey’s Journey.

https://www.facebook.com/share/WCZMAHJa47zwoCvW/?mibextid=K35XfP