Lindens Liver Surgery in Chicago

Hi, My name is Candace, I am a 37-year-old single mother. I have only one child, and he requires a lot of my attention due to his multiple medical conditions. I am unemployed, and on disability to ensure my son can attend all of his required specialist appointments and his modified school program.

Let me introduce you to my son Linden!

Linden is a; strong, courageous, resilient, determined, creative 12-year-old young man. His health has been challenging from the early stages of life and year after year, diagnosis after diagnosis we are told how his combined conditions are so "incredibly rare". 2022 was a year of learning who Linden was, and what medical support he needed to make life less challenging. Now you might be asking yourself "what do you mean by that?". Linden is as I mentioned 12 years old, yet cognitively he is at a 7 or 8-year-old level and one example is he's unable to tie his shoes. This challenge is not due to the lack of trying. That being said, we have never experienced life any differently so we do the best with what we have.

Let me give you a summary of his medical diagnosis

*2010 - Linden was diagnosed with a Liver issue called "Congenital Portal Vein Atresia", this was diagnosed via a GI specialist at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver BC. We have been followed by the GI specialist since birth.

2018 - Linden was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, which resulted in Kidney Disease and damage to his Kidneys.

2020 - Linden was admitted to BC Children's Hospital in a Diabetic Coma, and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This means he was now 100% insulin-dependent, and his Pancreas no longer works.

2022 - Linden was diagnosed with the following neurological disorders as well; Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and an associated language disorder. With signs of ADHD and Anxiety.

Linden requires multiple blood glucose checks per day, as well as insulin administered typically 5 to 8 times daily. He is currently on two types of insulin, he takes 5 different Vitamins and Minerals once daily, and 8 prescription medications to keep his little body "healthy". Linden's lifestyle is limited due to his Liver issue, as mentioned earlier he was diagnosed in *2010 with what is called "Congenital Portal Vein Atresia". After several years of testing and investigating we finally have a proper diagnosis just last year in 2022, that name is Congenital Portosystemic Shunt or Abernethy Malformation. For more information please read this medical link to understand further.

https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/congenital-portosystemic-shunts-abernethy-malformation/

Now Linden's GI specialist at BC Children's Hospital better understands his liver and its anatomy. She had met with one of her colleagues at a conference while discussing his case they had decided that he had become a candidate for a double Liver Surgery. This procedure will change the quality of his life in countless ways, the first one being that his liver works properly. He will no longer have excess ammonia in the Brain causing a brain injury. This procedure is not offered in Canada, we are going to be traveling to Chicago. We have already spoken with the surgeon involved, and he has explained how complex this procedure is. Please watch this youtube link with Dr. Riccardo A. Superina himself.

Dr Superina Video Link

Linden and I will be traveling to Chicago for 5 weeks in July, during that time both of his surgeries for his liver will take place.

I have put together this GoFundMe intending to cover the medication and unexpected costs, our Provincial and Federal health care will not cover. I have already been advised that there will be some medications that will not be covered, unfortunately. Any help is greatly appreciated, no donation is too small.