Donation protected
Gia is a sweet, sassy, bubbly and happy 4 year old girl!! She loves to dance, play with barbies, and help bake. Our lives changed last year when we learned what had been causing her frequent tummy aches.
Gia was diagnosed with pancreatitis in October 2014. Genetic testing in march 2015 showed that Gia has a Genetic mutation (prss1) that causes hereditary chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. It causes the pancreas to digest itself. It is a chronic pain condition. There is basically no treatment for hereditary chronic pancreatitis.
In 2015, Gia has been hospitalized 9 times. She is in daily severe pain. She is on daily narcotic pain medication which is necessary for her to engage in normal activities. Gia had a NJ feeding tube placed in September 2015 to help giver her nutrition, gain weight, increase energy and stamina.
The only viable treatment that gives Gia the chance of living a pain free life outside of the hospital is a total pancreadectomy with auto islet transplant (tp ait). Gia will have the tp ait November 6 2015 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The surgery itself will last anywhere from 8-13 hours. Her pancreas, spleen, portion of her duendom, and gallbladder will be removed. Her pancreas will be sent to a lab where the insulin producing islet cells are extracted. The cells are then transplanted into her liver. The goal of the surgery is to improve quality of life and reduce pain. The islet transplant will give Gia a chance of not developing type 1 diabetes (at least for awhile ).
Gia and I will relocate to Minneapolis for 6-8 weeks for the surgery and recovery. Upon returning home to Cleveland, there will still be extensive recovery. We still have to figure out a plan for Chuck and Parker! We hope they can visit to Minneapolis frequently!
Any donations will be used to help offset the cost of surgery/recovery/medications not covered by insurance and to assist with relocation and travel. Thank you so much!
www.caringbridge.org/visit/giaworsdall
Gia was diagnosed with pancreatitis in October 2014. Genetic testing in march 2015 showed that Gia has a Genetic mutation (prss1) that causes hereditary chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. It causes the pancreas to digest itself. It is a chronic pain condition. There is basically no treatment for hereditary chronic pancreatitis.
In 2015, Gia has been hospitalized 9 times. She is in daily severe pain. She is on daily narcotic pain medication which is necessary for her to engage in normal activities. Gia had a NJ feeding tube placed in September 2015 to help giver her nutrition, gain weight, increase energy and stamina.
The only viable treatment that gives Gia the chance of living a pain free life outside of the hospital is a total pancreadectomy with auto islet transplant (tp ait). Gia will have the tp ait November 6 2015 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The surgery itself will last anywhere from 8-13 hours. Her pancreas, spleen, portion of her duendom, and gallbladder will be removed. Her pancreas will be sent to a lab where the insulin producing islet cells are extracted. The cells are then transplanted into her liver. The goal of the surgery is to improve quality of life and reduce pain. The islet transplant will give Gia a chance of not developing type 1 diabetes (at least for awhile ).
Gia and I will relocate to Minneapolis for 6-8 weeks for the surgery and recovery. Upon returning home to Cleveland, there will still be extensive recovery. We still have to figure out a plan for Chuck and Parker! We hope they can visit to Minneapolis frequently!
Any donations will be used to help offset the cost of surgery/recovery/medications not covered by insurance and to assist with relocation and travel. Thank you so much!
www.caringbridge.org/visit/giaworsdall
Organizer
Gina Bando Worsdall
Organizer
Cleveland, OH