Our sweet baby boy, Nakoah, was just three weeks old when our world changed forever. What started as a trip to the ER for what we thought was indigestion quickly led to an emergency transfer to a more advanced hospital in San Francisco. While we were at the ER Nakoah’s billirubin was high and even had seizure like movements. When we got there they did a lot of assessments and tests on him and discovered he had a brain bleed in his cerebellum. After a week of constant testing and monitoring, we were left without clear answers, only growing concern that something was seriously wrong with his liver or gallbladder and possible vitamin k deficiency.

From there, Nakoah was transferred again, this time to a Children’s Hospital for a cholangiogram. That’s when we received the devastating diagnosis: biliary atresia, a rare and life-threatening liver condition that blocks the bile ducts. During the procedure, the doctors confirmed the diagnosis and immediately performed the Kasai surgery, connecting his liver to his intestines to allow bile to drain.

This has meant another long hospital stay for recovery, and it may only be the beginning of Nakoah’s medical journey.

We’ve been living in and out of hospitals, hotels far from home and our daughter, trying to hold everything together while caring for our baby. At the same time, we’re doing our best to support our 3-year-old daughter, who’s been so brave through all the changes and time apart from us.

We’re humbly asking for help. The emotional toll is heavy:

• My husband has had to miss work to be by our side.

• We’ve lost income, and the cost of travel, food, temporary housing near the hospital, and basic necessities keeps adding up.

• On top of that, we’re trying to keep things stable for the ongoing care our son will need.

We’re reaching out for help. If you’re able to donate, share, or send a prayer, it means everything to us. Your support will help cover housing while we’re away from home, travel, and allow us to focus on what matters most: giving Nakoah the best possible chance and staying strong as a family.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of Nakoah’s fight.

With love and gratitude,

Lianna, Jayvon, Alanii & Nakoah Him