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Evie LatewoodIrish girl who received liver transplant for glioblastoma
Date of Birth: 01.01.2017
Country:  Ireland |
Content:
- A Liver Transplant's Unforeseen Consequence
- Transplant Risk Amidst Family's Desperation
- Evie's Journey to Health and Illness
- A Life-Saving Transplant but Not Without Surprises
- Gratitude Amidst Uncertainty
A Liver Transplant's Unforeseen Consequence
Glioblastoma After Liver Transplant in Irish GirlIn an attempt to save Evie's life, doctors performed a liver transplant that has now left the toddler battling a different form of cancer. Evie Laitwood, who turns two next month, had the life-saving liver transplant in February 2018, but has since been battling a fresh set of health problems. Doctors were horrified to discover that the transplant had given the girl a cancerous tumor. The cancer cells spread not only to her new liver, but also her ribs, kidney, and abdomen. Experts believe the tumor was passed on from the donor, who died from brain cancer.
Transplant Risk Amidst Family's Desperation
Evie's parents, fearing for their daughter's life, had consented to the transplant despite the 0.5 percent chance she could contract the same type of cancer. The young patient from Portadown, Northern Ireland, has undergone chemotherapy, but her case is so rare that doctors are unable to make any predictions.
Evie's Journey to Health and Illness
A Healthy Birth and Early ConcernsEvie was born seemingly healthy. However, her parents Natalie and Dylan became concerned when her stools turned an "unusual color" five days after her birth. Tests revealed that the girl needed a procedure to connect her liver to her intestines. Doctors believed Evie's bile ducts and gallbladder had not formed properly. The surgery was successful, but soon after, the young girl began vomiting blood and was rushed to Birmingham by ambulance. Doctors determined that Evie needed a liver transplant.
A Life-Saving Transplant but Not Without Surprises
Remarkably, a suitable organ became available less than 24 hours later. The transplant operation lasted six hours. The tiny fighter recovered and returned to her normal self, but in November 2018, her mother discovered a lump on her ribs. Describing her reaction, Mrs. Laitwood said, "It just hit us like a brick wall. We were devastated." "We were just in autopilot at that point. If it wasn't for that transplant, she wouldn't be here today. We had eight brilliant months after that."
Gratitude Amidst Uncertainty
"She's just a wee bright spark and it's amazing how she's getting through it," she said. The toddler was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the same disease that killed her donor, a woman in her 30s. Earlier this year, Natalie revealed that she had written to the deceased woman's family to express her gratitude for saving Evie. "We are just so grateful to her and her family for the precious gift," Mrs. Laitwood said before discovering the transplant's consequences. "We have been writing and sending photographs, so hopefully, they can take some comfort from my daughter's story."
