Albie

Albie was a healthy, happy, active 8 year old, until November 2021 I noticed his eyes looked yellow. I knew this wasn’t normal, I took him to the gp, he was sent to hospital for further tests. He had suspected viral hepatitis, he was discharged and had to go back the following week for more tests. He deteriorated rapidly, his whole body became jaundiced and when we returned to the hospital, he was a very poorly boy. Little did we know, that we wouldn’t go home for another 5 weeks.

Albie underwent many different tests and was put on IV antibiotics, which later we would discover he was allergic to. He needed to go to kings hospital in London (paediatric liver specialists) for a liver biopsy to find out what was causing the jaundice. A bed finally became available and he was blue lighted from Poole to London. At kings he had scans, MRIs, XRays, at least twice daily blood tests. His liver was failing rapidly and transplant and intensive care were mentioned to me, I was terrified, refusing to believe this would be necessary.

Albie was very weak, had lost so much weight and was constantly wired up to machines so couldn’t get out of bed. His blood test results were getting dangerously worse and I was told he was going to be listed for an urgent transplant, he had acute liver failure and he should receive his new liver within 72 hours. However, the toxins were damaging his brain, he needed to be put into an induced coma. Whilst he was being put into the coma, I received a phone call to say a suitable liver had been found. The following morning he was taken to theatre for his transplant, I kissed his forehead and left a lipstick mark so I could be with him during the 6 hour operation. Finally the call that the operation was over and my boy was being taken back to picu, the surgeon explained the liver had collapsed and he’d be on anti rejection meds for life. I didn’t care, they’d kept my baby alive.

He remained in a coma for the next 36 hours to let his body recover. We remained in hospital in London for a further 3 weeks, tests results were up and down and he was not out the woods yet. We were desperate to be home for Christmas and reunited with albie’s 3 older brothers. Finally we returned home the night before Christmas Eve! Since then, it’s been a learning curve having a child with complex medical needs, regular immuno suppressant anti rejection medication, causing him to get ill a lot and misses a vast amount of school, frequent hospital trips and blood tests. But he’s a trooper, taking it all in his stride with a smile on his face. He loves football, swimming, tennis and playing FIFA! He participates in the annual British Transplant games representing kings.

We are so grateful as family for the amazing support of Amelia’s rainbow, since Albie’s transplant we’ve been on holiday, had the beach hut, attended Easter parties and Christmas concerts and of course had the annual elf visit. You have become our friends, your generosity, care and concern for the whole family is so special to us, thank you so much for all you do.