Support Hannah during her 4th transplant
Donation protected
Hi everyone, my name is Chris. I am Hannah’s Mom.
First, let me say I have mixed feelings about asking for your support. But, many have asked what they can do to help….
- Hannah was born with Biliary Atresia. At 9 days old, she underwent her first surgery. At 5 months old, she had her first liver transplant. Over the course of the following 11 years, she suffered as she was in and out of the hospital, constantly poked and prodded, enduring multiple procedures and surgeries necessary due complications with her anatomy.
- She was ultimately re-listed for another transplant. 3 long years passed until a match was found. While her donor family was suffering the excruciating loss of their young daughter (Hailey), we were anxious, yet optimistic that Hannah would finally find relief.
- Sadly, only a few weeks later, she developed a clot that rendered this precious organ unsalvageable. Again, she was re-listed, and received her 3rd transplant only 1 month after the 2nd. Once again, we were relieved, yet this time, only cautiously optimistic. You see, it’s wasn’t the new organ itself we were concerned with, but her vessels.
- Our fears were confirmed when she began to suffer blood flow issues to the liver once more. Her doctors decided it was time to stent the vessel, in hopes she could avoid repeated invasive procedures to dilate it. During placement, the stent slipped and migrated to her heart, requiring emergency open heart surgery to retrieve it. After this (now 4th) near death experience in her short life, we enjoyed nearly 5 years of a relatively normal life. ❤️
- In late April this year, Hannah called me from work. She wasn’t feeling well and was scared. She knows her body. She knew something wasn’t right. She went to the hospital, was admitted and was told she would, yet again, need to be re-transplanted. It was completely devastating. We were told they would take a different approach this time. Not only will they transplant the new organ, but also the entirety of the vessels connected. This surgery will be very complicated and risky. While we are holding on to hope that, given they are doing something differently this time, we are equally terrified and broken that we need to face this once again.
- Hannah has since been hospitalized twice. Given her current state of health, and the fact we are a 3 hour drive from the hospital, we need her to be closer to her care team. Thankfully, my insurance will help cover transplant related lodging expenses. We are actively looking for an apartment close to the hospital, but she will need furnishings, household supplies, and ongoing support for other basic needs. We don’t know how long this may take.
- Given her current state of declining health, her doctors estimate it will be less than 6 months until she is transplanted. Once transplanted, she will still need to stay close for post transplant care.
- Hannah is a hard and dedicated worker, and fiercely independent. While she still has the desire and drive to continue working to support herself through this crisis (she is hard headed ❤️), her body is not aligned with her drive.
- If you are willing and able to help with this unfortunate financial burden, please accept my deepest and most sincere gratitude.
Organizer
Christine Hargreaves
Organizer
Walnutport, PA