Rachel’s New Liver

Hello Friends. My name is Brittany and I am the administrator for Rachel's fundraising campaign. Rachel's father shared a summary of Rachel's health journey that began on February 3, 2022.

ACUTE LIVER FAILURE! How could those be the words we would hear uttered about our smart, fun-loving, and young daughter? How did we get here with no signs or warnings before the morning of February 3, 2022!

Let’s Get Ready for School: What should have been our typical routine getting of 7 yr old son 9yrs daughter and 7 month old son ready for school and daycare, started off a little bit differently. Our precious daughter, Rachel, stated she was having stomach cramps and not feeling well. After doing what parents should do, check the temperature and ask those important questions, we found no reason big or small for the cramps. Rachel also made it known that she did not want to miss school. After all, missing school for Rachel meant missing her SAIL class (Gifted & Talented Class) and her violin class.

End of the Day Pick-up: No phone call, email, or notice from the school, so the day had to be good, right? Not quite! Upon pickup, there was a noticeable change in Rachel. So noticeable that we decided it was best to have her seen at the MUSC Pediatric After Hour Center. Rachel’s eyes were no longer that usual bright white. They were now glowing yellow.

The Roller Coaster Effect: Immediately after arriving, Rachel was evaluated by a team of physicians who then instructed us to take Rachel to the Shawn Jenkins MUSC Children's Hospital, in downtown Charleston. This short interaction felt like we were on a roller coaster

Ride and with things happening so quickly and no answers being provided, our only hope as parents was to move just as quickly and to trust the process.

Get Comfortable They Said: Upon arrival, we were greeted by another team of specialists who began to treat Rachel. After a long and exhausting day, there were still no answers and the doctors who were just as puzzled as we were. So puzzled, that we were told to get comfortable because Rachel was being admitted.

Friday and the Weekend: Rachel began the long road of having to be poked with needles for blood work and tests, morning and night. Rachel was still in pain and showed increased yellowing of the eyes, but all of her labs and tests kept coming back with no indication of a virus infection, and there were no covid related findings. The wait continued.

Sunday: The Doctors had a new focus! After a weekend of labs, x rays, and a Ct-Scan the decision was made to do a Liver Biopsy on Monday.

Monday: Biopsy day. Rachel had the Biopsy and we waited for what felt like the longest 24-48 hours! Rachel was still smiling and upbeat, but her body kept telling us and the doctors a different story.

Tuesday-Wed: This cannot be happening! As we're waiting, still not knowing what is the cause of Rachel's pain, her health began to decline and our bouncy loving girl grew quiet, wanting nothing to do, only sleep.

Thursday: The first wait is over. One of the many sets of words no parent ever wants to hear.....ACUTE LIVER FAILURE AND YOUR CHILD WOULD NEED A NEW LIVER TO SURVIVE. Again, we thought, "How did we get here? Why is this happening?" But there was no time to think, only to plan.

Thursday Evening: We met with the MUSC Transplant Team, and they informed us all about the pros and cons of being placed on the transplant list. Nothing was promised; only hope provided.

Thursday, late evening: Rachel's Liver numbers have now declined rapidly and her neurological functions have become a major concern. The MUSC Liver Transplant Team & Doctor Specialists all have agreed that it would be in the best interest of Rachel to have her put on the National Liver Transplant Wait List with the United Network of Organ Sharing at a status 1A. A Status 1A Means that a person wouldn't be able to live any much longer without a liver. Our beautiful daughter...... goodness!!!

Saturday 7pm: We received the call! Doctors found multiple donors for our child. Another path to our new journey would begin.

Sunday 2-13-2022: Happy Birthday Daddy because it is the day we would be celebrating and guess who remembers, our daughter, Rachel! Rachel wakes up saying, "Sorry Dad this isn't the best birthday." But she has no idea, it is a birthday we'll never forget! A Liver for Rachel! Those were the words we got to say to our Baby Girl!

A compatible liver has been found and all we have to do is wait for the transplant team to call us when it's our turn!

The Journey Continues: My wife, Cereta, and I know we're blessed beyond measure. We are also aware that not many parents get to have the same story and for every liver found to save our daughter, another family lost their loved-one. Our hearts go out to them and we solicit your prayers for them too.

We have a long road ahead of us and many of you have asked how to help. From speaking with doctors and others who have gone through similar unexpected medical scares, the road to recovery will be costly, timely, and full of uncertainties; therefore, we will welcome any monetary donations to help cover the cost of Rachel's medical recovery phase and medicines. We are asking that food donations not be given because Rachel's intake will be closely guarded to ensure she is ready for surgery and able to recover without complications.

To donate please see......