Help Lexi with her TPIAT surgery and recovery!

We are so excited to share that after extensive testing by highly skilled doctors and surgeons that Lexi will be having the TPIAT surgery at the end of June. This surgery promises to offer her relief from the constant debilitating pain of chronic pediatric pancreatitis. Almost daily for the last 1-2 years, she has endured symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fatigue and intense abdominal pain all the time which increases after eating most meals.

Lexi has courageously battled chronic pediatric pancreatitis for years. She was diagnosed with chronic pediatric pancreatitis in October 2023. She has undergone many procedures, surgeries and a variety of medication to give her relief. She has had 13 procedures/operations, surgeries to remove her gallbladder, appendix and insert a feeding tube, 7 hospitalizations totalling about 35 days and over 30 emergency room trips. This has impacted her life immensely, she has been unable to work or go to college because of the pain and fatigue. This past year has been really hard for her.

After extensive testing in Ohio it was determined that the TPIAT (Total Pancreatomy with Islet Autotransplant) was the best treatment option. During the surgery she will have her pancreas, spleen, and part of her small bowel removed. After this surgery she will have what is equivalent to type 1 diabetes and will be insulin dependent at least for a little while. During the 17-hour surgery they will transplant cells from her pancreas to her liver, which can result in the liver taking over insulin production, hopefully. While a lot, this surgery promises to offer relief from the debilitating pain of pediatric pancreatitis, which has dominated her life. She missed most of her high school years. She has been unable to attend college. Lexi is one of the toughest people I know. Despite being in constant pain she keeps an upbeat and happy outlook on life.

Recovery from surgery is long and difficult. Lexi will spend 1 week in the ICU and 1-2 weeks in the hospital. After being discharged from the hospital she will spend 4-5 more weeks continuing her recovery in Ohio, during this time she will have multiple follow up appointments, work with the endocrinologist to learn how to manage diabetes, and do physical therapy. During the following year she will be encouraged to focus on full recovery before working or pursuing higher education.

Any donations or support you can offer will be appreciated. The funds raised will go towards traveling costs, medical bills, unpaid time off for her mom so she can stay with her during recovery and attend her follow up visits in Ohio, which will be at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. We can use all the prayers that we can get! Thank you for all your love and support!