Kayla's 2nd Liver Transplant Fund
On March 21, 2013, Kayla Bundy, a 17 yr old senior at Morton Ranch High School in Katy, was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis and is in need of a liver transplant. Having been born with this disease, it has been gradually attacking her liver, and now she suffers from swollen legs, feet, and abdominal area, enlarged spleen and a liver too damaged to repair itself. On April 18th, we received a call from our Texas Children's Transplant coordinator...Kayla is officially on the National Liver Transplant list. Now comes the hard part - waiting on the phone call.
Kayla has been getting use to taking lots of meds everyday...and she knows once she has the transplant, she will be on even more meds - many for the rest of her life.
We thank everyone that has reached out to us so far - from bringing meals to the house, organizing fundraisers, donations towards Kayla's medical bills, and most of all the many, many prayers. Please also remember to pray for the family of her donor...for Kayla to receive a new liver and a new, healthier life, there will be a family grieving for the loss of a loved one.
August 28, 2013:
It's been a rough 5 months so far. Kayla did complete her senior year of high school and earned her diploma, but she missed her graduation ceremony since she was hospitalized...basically this whole summer - with the exception of a total of 14 days, she spent at TCH. Kayla had a TIPS procedure done to help lessen the fluid build up. Doctors were able to drain off 5 liters of fluid, which helped a lot. She has had several different issues come and go during the past 3 months - high ammonia levels, dehydration, low sodium levels in blood, and now steroid induced diabetes. Kayla must now take insulin shots everyday and check her blood sugar frequently. Her "normal" levels are higher than one for you and I, but doctors are trying to bring hers down to a less severe number. In early July, while in TCH, we were offered a liver - which Kayla would have been sharing with an infant who is higher on the transplant list than she is. The initial tests on the liver looked good, but when the organ was delivered to TCH, the surgeon had to pass on it because it did not meet the standards they want for the surgery on the TCH patients. That day was very emotional and hard to digest when we were told surgery would not happen. We continue to pray everyday, that her transplant day will be soon. I cannot wait to hear those 5 little words over the phone - "we have a liver offer". Kayla continues to gain strength back in her legs each day, and hopes she is stronger by the time she gets her new liver.
October 19, 2013
Kayla has been able to stay home for over a month now. She goes to Infusion Center at TCH West Campus M/W/F for 4 hours each to help lessen the fluid in her abdomen. Kayla is enjoying being at home with her brother and sister, and being able to enjoy the small everyday things that most of us take for granted.
December 19, 2013
2 1/2 days since Kayla received her new liver and things are good. Doctors are working on getting her out of ICU. We've had Physical Therapy and Respiratory Therapy helping out too. She's looking forward to real food.
We want to thank the donor family for the most precious gift their loved one gave to my baby girl. I know Kayla is wanting to send a letter to them...thanking them for her early Christmas present.
It's been a month now since transplant, and it's still hard to believe we are actually at this point. Kayla is still battling fluid in her belly, but doctors keep telling us that it will go away....she was sick for 17 years so it'll take a couple of months for her body to get to 100% with the new liver and the fluid to go where it's suppose to. One of her anti-rejection meds is causing severe stomach issues but that is a common side effect....they should have a fix for that cause the last thing a fresh transplant patient needs to worry with is stomach problems. Kayla made it up 4 of the 16 stairs at home. She's getting closer to making it up to her room-so in the meantime, the living room is her room. Kayla was admitted to St. Luke's for a week, in order to transition back to the doctor's preferred anti-rejection drug of choice, Prograf, but knowing Kayla had the seizure while taking it and high blood pressure, they put us across from nurses station as well as has Kayla taking blood pressure meds....so far so good. In March she should be getting off one of her ten medications...YEAH!! Physical Therapy starts this week so please pray for patience for Kayla and the therapist.
