What is biliary atresia? Biliary atresia is a rare condition in newborn infants in which the common bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent. If unrecognized, the condition leads to liver failure. The cause of the condition is unknown. The only effective treatments are certain surgeries such as the kasai procedure, or liver transplantation.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

One month after the operation

Wacky shows no more sign of jaudice (yellowish pigmentation of the skin and the white of his eyes). His doctors have also reduced the dosage of the cyclosporin (used with other medications to prevent transplant rejection ). He still has poor appetite with his alfare milk and as such, is given through the syringe. The tests performed on him gave positive results.

Thank you for your continued prayers! =)



Sunday, May 15, 2011

From ICU to the Ward

Wacky was moved from the ICU to the ward last May 10. A drainage tube is still attached to his body to drain extra liquid from his lymphatic system. He is currently being nourished though IV and he's yet to feed on his alfare milk.

Wacky is scheduled for a chest xray and abdominal ultrasound on May 16. He is expected to stay for 3-4 weeks in the ward, and another 3-4 weeks outpatient (will stay in dorm).








Thursday, May 5, 2011

fast recovery

In the span of 19 days after the liver transplant operation, Wacky is showing good signs of health and the progress in his recovery is incredible. The tube on his body was removed last April 28, and they let him sit upright by April 30. They also began feeding him solid food. Wacky is interacting well with the nurses, eating & playing with them.


Sunday, May 1, 2011

Thank you JPIA!

Last April 30, the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants  (JPIA) from the San Sebastian College - Recoletos de Cavite held their first reunion and chose Wacky as the recipient of the proceeds from the dinner for a cause. Both Wacky's parents, Caress & Raymundo, who had gone to the same college and were also members of the organization extend their appreciation and gratitude to the group. We'd also like to thank everyone who bought shirts & bags for Wacky's fund. The amount raised during this event is a big help to sustain Wacky's medication after the operation. From the botton of our hearts, THANK YOU! May your group continue to benefit others in need.



Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Images of Wacky

Upon arrival in Taiwan (they left the Philippines last Apr 13), tests were performed between Wacky and his Mother, Carees, to check liver compatibility.



 

The operation was scheduled on April 19th...








Caress trying to walk a few days after the operation...she was later discharged from the hospital last Apr 27.






Wacky has gained weight since the operation. =)

Monday, April 25, 2011

After 7 days

Wacky has undergone the liver transplant operation last April 19 with his mother, Caress as the compatible liver donor. Caress will stay in the ICU  for a week, she is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Thursday, April 28. Wacky will stay for another 2 weeks in the ICU -- his loved ones can view him from a tv monitor connected outside the ICU.

He started taking his milk 6 days after the operation. According to the doctor, he now weighs 8 kg -- which is a feat because he only weighed 7.2 kg when he left the Philippines and have never exceeded 7.3 kg. His cheeks have become chubby according to his father, Raymond.

He is finally showing good signs of health. The good news continues! =)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Quick updates on the operation

Communication with the family in Taiwan is limited to text messages since the hospital and the dormitory have no internet. They have not left the vicinity of the place since they arrived in Taiwan last week due to the close monitoring performed by the hospital with Wacky and Caress. We will try to post each update we receive from the family.

April 25 6:41PM (from Raymond): Nag start nang mag-milk si Wacky. Si Caress baka sa Thursday i-discharge na (from hospital).

April 24 11:12PM (from Lara): Si Wacky minsan gising pero pinatutulog daw. May ubo si caress nahihirapan sya ngayon.

April 22 1:51PM (from Lara): Dito kami ward. Nag-try nang maglakad si Caress ng kaunti. Mamayang hapon ulit. Ini-encourage kasi nilang maglakad ang pasyente kapag post-op kahit masakit pa.

April 21 12:12PM (from Raymond): Nasa ward na si Caress. Medyo nahihilo pa. Pero pinaglalakad na sya kung kaya nya. Hindi pa siya pwedeng kumain.

April 20 12:48PM (from Raymond): Natapos ang operation ni Caress ng 3:45PM, si Wacky at 9:10Pm (April 19). Nasa ICU sila ngayon. Si Caress in two days pwede na sa ward. Si Wacky, tinanggal na ang respirator. =)

April 19 10:27PM (from Lara): Kadarating lang namin ng dorm. Grrr.. maginaw dito ngayon. Nakita na namin si Wacky sa TV sa viewing room. Nakakaawa tingnan kasi may tubo. Hope they'll recover fast.

April 19 10:00PM (from Lara):  Nakausap na ni Jun (Raymond) si Caress twice through viewing room from the ICU. Si Wacky tapos na yata pero di namin alam if nasa OR o ICU pa sya. Wala pang nagsasabi sa amin.

April 19 4:10PM (from Lara): Nasa ICU na si Caress. Si Wacky nasa OR pa pero matatapos na in 2 hours. Everything went well for both sabi ng head doctor. Ni-cover ng isang tv network ang operation, pagkausap sa amin ni Dr. Chen... Thank you Lord!

April 19 2:09PM (from Lara):   Sa OR pa sila. Kakatapos lang ng interview namin sa local tv dito. Gumagawa sila ng feature about liver transplant and by chance andun kami na foreigners... kasi kaming 4 lang andito na hindi local.

April 19 10:18AM (from Lara):  Kakagaling lang namin sa dorm... dito na ulit kami sa waiting area ng OR. Si Jun (Raymond) naglalakad, nagpapaalis siguro ng kaba.

April 19 8:10AM (from Lara): Kakapasok lang ni Caress at Wacky sa OR.

April 18 9:53PM (from Raymond): Tulog na si Wacky. Fasting sila (Wacky & Caress) ng 12AM. Sa dorm na kami mag-i-stay ni ate Lara tomorrow. Sa wakas, eto na yung pinag-ipunan at pinaghandaan for 9 months! GOD will take over from here.