Surgery for Sienna
Donation protected
Sienna's story begins 4 years ago at a routine health check-up. Through bloodwork the doctor discovers her platelet levels are low. After seeing a hematologist they also reveal an enlarged spleen. Month after month, year passes year we go in for tests, bloodwork, and seeing different specialists with no improvement. The diagnosis was left at low blood platelets and enlarged spleen with an unknown cause. 
As a mother I couldn't rest at that knowing something was not right, there had to be a reason, so we continued to pray and seek for the underlying cause. Finally this spring, after moving to a different state we were led to see a GI pediatric specialist. I was shocked when he said, "I think I know what it is." After an ultrasound of her liver and spleen, it confirmed his diagnosis: Portal Vein Thrombosis. The main vein feeding her liver clotted and scarred off at some point in her life. Her body has compensated with smaller veins to continue to feed the liver but a large amount of the blood is backflowing into the spleen. PVT is a rare condition and not well understood, so we were told we would need to go out of state for surgery to correct what the doctors call a "ticking time bomb". If left untreated the pressure can continue to build up in the esophagus and stomach causing bulging veins that rupture and lead to life threatening hemorrhaging. After researching this condition we discovered Dr. Riccardo Superina, considered to be the expert in Portal Vein Liver Bypass surgery. Dr. Superina will preform the surgery by taking one of her four Jugular veins from her neck and bypass the blockage to restore normal blood flow to the liver and relieve the pressure on the spleen and esophagus. We will be traveling to Chicago on Sunday Oct. 14th to begin the pre-op imaging tests needed before the surgery set for Oct. 22. The surgery will take place at Ann and Robert H. Lurie's Children Hospital in their liver transplant surgery center. She will be in the ICU for several days, followed by a week in the hospital and a minimum of 2 weeks staying in the area for follow-up. We're thankful to have insurance, but still have a deductible to meet, as well as travel expenses, meals and some lodging expenses. We are planning on staying at the Ronald McDonald house for the majority of the time. We are so thankful that the Lord hears and answers our prays, if you are unable to donate monetarily we would greatly appreciate your prayers for Sienna, her parents and siblings as we move forward trusting in His plans for her life. 
As a mother I couldn't rest at that knowing something was not right, there had to be a reason, so we continued to pray and seek for the underlying cause. Finally this spring, after moving to a different state we were led to see a GI pediatric specialist. I was shocked when he said, "I think I know what it is." After an ultrasound of her liver and spleen, it confirmed his diagnosis: Portal Vein Thrombosis. The main vein feeding her liver clotted and scarred off at some point in her life. Her body has compensated with smaller veins to continue to feed the liver but a large amount of the blood is backflowing into the spleen. PVT is a rare condition and not well understood, so we were told we would need to go out of state for surgery to correct what the doctors call a "ticking time bomb". If left untreated the pressure can continue to build up in the esophagus and stomach causing bulging veins that rupture and lead to life threatening hemorrhaging. After researching this condition we discovered Dr. Riccardo Superina, considered to be the expert in Portal Vein Liver Bypass surgery. Dr. Superina will preform the surgery by taking one of her four Jugular veins from her neck and bypass the blockage to restore normal blood flow to the liver and relieve the pressure on the spleen and esophagus. We will be traveling to Chicago on Sunday Oct. 14th to begin the pre-op imaging tests needed before the surgery set for Oct. 22. The surgery will take place at Ann and Robert H. Lurie's Children Hospital in their liver transplant surgery center. She will be in the ICU for several days, followed by a week in the hospital and a minimum of 2 weeks staying in the area for follow-up. We're thankful to have insurance, but still have a deductible to meet, as well as travel expenses, meals and some lodging expenses. We are planning on staying at the Ronald McDonald house for the majority of the time. We are so thankful that the Lord hears and answers our prays, if you are unable to donate monetarily we would greatly appreciate your prayers for Sienna, her parents and siblings as we move forward trusting in His plans for her life. Organizer
Amber Roest
Organizer
Boise, ID
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