Hey Chandler, |
This is all for you, buddy.
I want to document this journey so you can look back and see how TOUGH you are! Part of me is thankful that you're so young going through this experience, but knowing you, you could have handled it at any time. We are so lucky that your dad is donating, and that you have a treatable condition. You probably don't realize that this scary experience is only making you stronger. We are saying goodbye to the annoying liver symptoms, and hello to a brand new healthier life for you. You have been so brave through this experience and we couldn't be more proud. We love you so much!! This is also for fellow transplant families that may looking for some insight as to what its really like to donate, and receive a liver transplant! Please feel free to reach out on social media, I will be happy to chat. |
Hey Chuck, |
Chandler is one lucky kid, and I am the luckiest wife! I know you don't want a ton of attention when it comes to this, but I have to say a few things because you are worthy of immense acknowledgement We are all aware of the incredible bond you have with Chandler and I love that you get to share this with him. Right now it's chaos, but one day life will be easy and we will look back on this part of our journey and it will simply be a story to tell.
You inspire me to stay sane and positive through this experience. Not only are you Chandler's hero, you are also mine. I love you so much, too!! |
About our family and Chandler...
Long story short, Chuck and I met in Baltimore City at a bar called No Way Jose in 2011. We fell in love, got married, then went through IVF to have our two perfect beautiful babies, Chandler (December 2018) and Lincoln (July 2021). In January of 2021, we decided to move out of the city to Virginia Beach and raise our family!
Chandler was born 3 lbs., 1 oz, 7 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia, and had elevated bilirubin - not the jaundice type! He spent about 3 weeks in the NICU and graduated to the pediatric unit for observation. During this time, the hospital performed a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan, which is an imaging procedure used to diagnose problems of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. For a HIDA scan, a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. Based on these results, Chandler was referred to The University of Maryland Hospital for a biopsy of his liver to test for Biliary Atresia. It was determined that he did not have Biliary Atresia, however he didn't have an adequate amount of bile ducts - hence his elevated bilirubin. Due to this, Chandler suffers with sever itchiness, an enlarged liver and spleen, and yellow tinted eyes and skin. Over the years, Chandler has taken medications to reduce his itchiness and vitamin supplements to support his growth. We are really looking forward to the day when he only has 1 medication to take!!
Chuck and I are super positive people, so it's pretty hard to stress us out - but this got us! The silver lining to this situation is that we have a brand new perspective on life! To prepare for the transplant, we did a few Reiki therapy sessions, meditate to clear our minds, and have adapted positive affirmations into our daily habits. We are all about the high vibrations, people!!! Everything happens for a reason and the universe has a plan for us ;) Our daughter couldn't have come at a more perfect time - she has been my rock and my greatest distraction! Lincoln, you are super tiny right now, but you are the best baby and I can't wait to give you all the attention you deserve when this calms down.
Lastly, huge thank you to all the people who have shown support - from the text messages, Facebook comments, food cooking, bracelet making, t-shirt making, and all of the above. We have the best village, and everyone has made this so much easier <3
Chandler was born 3 lbs., 1 oz, 7 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia, and had elevated bilirubin - not the jaundice type! He spent about 3 weeks in the NICU and graduated to the pediatric unit for observation. During this time, the hospital performed a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan, which is an imaging procedure used to diagnose problems of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. For a HIDA scan, a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. Based on these results, Chandler was referred to The University of Maryland Hospital for a biopsy of his liver to test for Biliary Atresia. It was determined that he did not have Biliary Atresia, however he didn't have an adequate amount of bile ducts - hence his elevated bilirubin. Due to this, Chandler suffers with sever itchiness, an enlarged liver and spleen, and yellow tinted eyes and skin. Over the years, Chandler has taken medications to reduce his itchiness and vitamin supplements to support his growth. We are really looking forward to the day when he only has 1 medication to take!!
Chuck and I are super positive people, so it's pretty hard to stress us out - but this got us! The silver lining to this situation is that we have a brand new perspective on life! To prepare for the transplant, we did a few Reiki therapy sessions, meditate to clear our minds, and have adapted positive affirmations into our daily habits. We are all about the high vibrations, people!!! Everything happens for a reason and the universe has a plan for us ;) Our daughter couldn't have come at a more perfect time - she has been my rock and my greatest distraction! Lincoln, you are super tiny right now, but you are the best baby and I can't wait to give you all the attention you deserve when this calms down.
Lastly, huge thank you to all the people who have shown support - from the text messages, Facebook comments, food cooking, bracelet making, t-shirt making, and all of the above. We have the best village, and everyone has made this so much easier <3